Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How is californium-252 used as a neutron source?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
actinoid element
Modern version of the periodic table of the elements (printable).
Californium-252 is a highly effective neutron source because approximately 3 percent of its radioactive decay occurs through spontaneous fission. This process results in an intense emission of neutrons—one gram of the isotope emits roughly neutrons per second.12
Its practical applications include:
- Industrial and Resource Monitoring: It is used in neutron-activation analysis for mineral prospecting and monitoring oil well production.2
- Nuclear Energy: Its most significant industrial use is as a start-up source to calibrate instrumentation in nuclear reactors.2
- Security and Imaging: It is utilized in neutron radiography and in airport security detectors designed to identify explosives by detecting nitrogenous materials.2
- Medicine: It serves as a source for the irradiation of tumors, particularly in cases where traditional gamma-ray treatments are ineffective.2