Californium-244 production

Californium-244 (Cf-244) is a rare, radioactive isotope produced in laboratories through nuclear reactions. It results mainly from neutron irradiation of lighter actinides like uranium or plutonium in nuclear reactors, where these elements absorb neutrons and undergo nuclear transformations. The process involves carefully controlled conditions to create and isolate Cf-244, which can also be generated in particle accelerators by bombarding curium or californium with high-energy particles. Due to its scarcity and high radioactivity, Cf-244 is primarily used in scientific research and specialized applications such as neutron sources.