The γ-ray spectrum of 252Cf and the information contained within

We identify the information contained within a 252Cf γ-ray spectrum and discuss the spectral differences between freshly prepared and decayed sources. From this study we have developed γ-ray spectrometry methods and procedures that can be applied for determining the 252Cf activity and its fission product γ-ray yields from spontaneous fission and consequent beta decay. We present a method to derive the age of the 252Cf since it was chemically purified based on grow in of the fission product 137Cs. Measurement of the abundances of other californium isotopes in the source is described