What is californium-252?

Californium-252 is a radioactive isotope of californium, a rare and highly radioactive element that is found only in trace amounts in nature. It is created through the bombardment of curium-248 with alpha particles in a nuclear reactor.

Californium-252 has a half-life of 2.64 years, meaning that it takes 2.64 years for half of the atoms in a sample to decay. It emits alpha particles, which are relatively large and densely ionizing, making it an extremely hazardous material to handle without proper safety precautions.

Despite its hazards, californium-252 is used in a variety of applications, including industrial radiography, neutron radiography, and cancer therapy. Its ability to emit high-energy neutrons makes it particularly useful for radiation therapy, as it can be used to target cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It is also used in oil exploration, where it can be used to analyze rock samples and locate mineral deposits.