Californium

Berkeley 60-inch cyclotron

Cf 252 Produktion

CfShield

Californium is a chemical element with the symbol Cf and atomic number 98. It is a radioactive element that was first synthesized in 1950 by a team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, led by Albert Ghiorso, Glenn T. Seaborg, Kenneth Street, Jr., and Stanley G. Thompson. Californium is named after the state of California and the University of California.

Properties

Californium is a member of the actinide series, which is part of the periodic table of the elements. It is a metal with a silvery-white appearance that tarnishes when exposed to air. Californium has two allotropes: one with a hexagonal close-packed structure and another with a face-centered cubic structure. The element has a number of isotopes, with californium-251 and californium-252 being the most notable due to their use in various applications. Californium-252, in particular, is a strong neutron emitter, which makes it extremely useful in neutron activation analysis and as a neutron source in nuclear reactors.

Applications

Californium has several practical applications, primarily in the fields of nuclear medicine and nuclear research. Its ability to emit neutrons makes it valuable for use in neutron moisture gauges, which are used to find water and oil-bearing layers in oil wells, and in portable metal detectors for identifying gold and silver ores. Californium-252 is also used in medical treatments, such as in cancer therapy for its ability to target tumors more effectively than other radiation therapy methods.

Production and Safety

The production of californium is complex and costly, requiring a particle accelerator or a nuclear reactor. The most common method involves bombarding a target of curium with neutrons in a nuclear reactor to produce californium isotopes. Due to its high radioactivity, handling californium requires stringent safety measures to protect against radiation exposure. It is stored in special facilities that can contain its radiation and is handled with tools and machinery designed to minimize human exposure.

Environmental Impact

As with other radioactive materials, the environmental impact of californium is a concern. Its use and disposal must be carefully managed to prevent contamination of the environment and exposure to living organisms. Regulations and guidelines are in place to ensure the safe handling, transportation, and disposal of californium and its compounds.

See Also

• Actinides
• Radioactivity
• Nuclear reactor
• Neutron activation analysis