What does Cf 252 decay into?

Californium-252 is a very strong neutron emitter, which makes it extremely radioactive and harmful. Californium-252 undergoes alpha decay 96.9% of the time to form curium-248 while the remaining 3.1% of decays are spontaneous fission.

How does Cf 252 emit neutrons?

For neutron production, isotopic sources, such as 238Pu–Be or 252Cf, are generally used. The former generates fast neutrons through the interaction with Be of the spontaneously produced α particles from 238Pu whereas 252Cf produces neutrons through spontaneous fission.

What is the isotope californium-252 used for?

Californium-252 is used in a number of applications due to its radioactive properties, including Portable Isotopic Neutron Spectroscopy (PINS), Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA), scanners, reactor start-up rods, and more.

What type of radiation does californium-252 emit?

gamma rays
Californium-252 is a man-made radionuclide (half-life 2-65 years) which emits a mixture of neutrons and gamma rays. It is used in radiotherapy as an alternative to radium and extends the potential benefits of neutrons to interstitial and intracavitary applications.

What are the uses of californium 252 Cf?

This isotope produces high neutron emissions and can be used for a number of applications in industries such as nuclear energy, medicine, and petrochemical exploration. The neutron sources produced from 252 Cf are most notably used in the start-up of nuclear reactors.

How are decay schemes used in nucleonicawiki?

Decay Schemes – NucleonicaWiki From NucleonicaWiki In the following, the extracts from the Karlsruhe Nuclide Chart show both the parent and daughter. Adjacent to the nuclide box extract, the decay scheme is shown giving more details of the decay processes. These decay schemes are an aid to understanding the contents of the nuclide chart boxes.

How are 252 Cf neutrons used in the oil industry?

In the oil industry, 252 Cf neutron sources are used to find layers of petroleum and water in a well. Instrumentation is lowered into the well which bombards the formation with high energy neutrons to determine porosity, permeability, and hydrocarbon presence along the length of the borehole.

How are neutrons produced from 252Cf used in nuclear reactors?

The neutron sources produced from 252Cf are most notably used in the start-up of nuclear reactors. Once a reactor is filled with nuclear fuel, the stable neutron emissions from the source material initiates the fission chain reaction.

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