Published 2001 | Version v1
Journal article

Separation of 248Cm from a 252Cf neutron source for production of Cm targets

  • 1. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Inst. for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe (Germany)
  • 2. Gesellschaft fuer Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt (Germany)
  • 3. Inst. fuer Kernchemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Univ. Mainz (Germany)

Description

The separation of milligram amounts of 248Cm from 252Cf is presented. Essentially isotopically pure 248Cm was obtained from an ''old'' 252Cf neutron source by acid leaching. Curium was separated from californium in a cation exchange column combining two different eluents: α-HMBA at pH 4.0 for Cf, and α-HIBA at pH 4.8 for Cm. The method was first tested using Sm and Gd as actinide analogues. Excellent separation was obtained, yielding 12.6 mg Cm (11.9 mg 248Cm) free from Cf (250Cf < 1.3 x 10-2 ng and 252Cf < 4.2 x 10-3 ng). (orig.)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Radiochimica Acta
Journal Volume
89
Journal Issue
9
Journal Page Range
p. 543-549
ISSN
0033-8230
CODEN
RAACAP