[en] The historical development of the technological applications of ²⁵²Cf is briefly examined

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[en] The availability of ²⁵²Cf as an economical high-intensity neutron source has made it possible to construct compact neutron irradiation devices with widespread applications. The simplest such device consists of a single ²⁵²Cf source within a moderating and shielding medium. Higher neutron flux levels can be attained either through the use of more ²⁵²Cf or through source multiplication by means of a subcritical uranium assembly. Although the use of larger ²⁵²Cf sources to achieve higher neutron flux is technically straightforward, an economic penalty is paid as the source strength is increased. Larger californium sources imply larger initial investments to cover the cost of source material and larger operating costs resulting from the decay of the ²⁵²Cf source. A Californium Multiplier, the CFX, which produces a flux enhancement of 30 when compared to a conventional moderated ²⁵²Cf system has been designed, licensed, built, and tested by IRT Corporation. Such systems are now available on a commercial basis for both neutron radiography and neutron activation analysis. The first commercial CFX system was installed at the Research Laboratories of Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY, in March 1975. This device, using 1 mg of ²⁵²Cf, is very stable and the neutron flux generated by the CFX is very reproducible. The performance characteristics of this system are summarized

[en] In early 1995, the receipt of four sealed californium-252 sources from Oak Ridge National Lab was successfully accomplished by a team comprised of Radiological Engineering, Radiological Operations and Health Physics Instrumentation personnel. A procedure was developed and walked-down by the participants during a Dry Run Evolution. Several special tools were developed during the pre-planning phases of the project which reduced individual and job dose to minimal levels. These included a mobile lifting device for attachment of a transfer ball valve assembly to the undercarriage of the Cannonball Carrier, a transfer tube elbow to ensure proper angle of the source transfer tube, and several tools used during emergency response for remote retrieval and handling of an unshielded source. Lessons were learned in the areas of contamination control, emergency preparedness, and benefits of thorough pre-planning, effectiveness of locally creating and designing special tools to reduce worker dose, and methods of successfully accomplishing source receipt evolutions during extreme or inclement weather

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[en] The discovery of ²⁵²Cf production in the Mike explosion is reviewed

[en] The analysis of ternary fission of ²⁵²Cf and ²³⁶U nuclei is performed within the framework of a model of trajectory calculations. The obtained results show that the configuration of a ternary nuclear system formed near the scission point is compact. The initial kinetic energies of fragments are approximately 5-7 MeV. The emission point of a light particle is positioned on the fission axis within a region of approximately 2 fm. A description of polar emission of α-particle in ternary fission is obtained within the framework of a unified mechanism involving equatorial emission. Compactness of the configuration of a ternary nuclear system, localization of the emission point on the fission axis, and dissipative friction forces determine the probability of the nuclear orbiting in the formation of particles in the neck region and establish a certain balance between nuclear and Coulomb forces. 38 refs., 10 figs

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[en] Molecular electrodeposition has been previously employed for the preparation of the transuranium and transplutonium elements. The present communication deals with californium-252 which has been successfully deposited in quantities of from 5 to 250 μC together with an optimum amount (25 μg/cm²) of natural uranium. For quantities of ²⁵²Cf exceeding 25 μg, carrier is no longer required and yields of up to 500 μg/cm² should be realized. The sources, which were plated onto stainless steel and aluminum, display a uniformity of better than 1 percent for an area of 1.5 cm². A study of the structure and composition of the sources is being carried out by means of scanning and conventional electron microscopy. The method is simple, rapid and capable of producing sources of superior quality than aqueous plating procedures. (U.S.)