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Comparison of Cf-252 Thin-Film Sources Prepared by Evaporation or Self-Transfer...

by Noor J Algutifan, Steven R Sherman, Charles W Alexander
Publication Type
Journal
Journal Name
Applied Radiation and Isotopes
Publication Date
Page Numbers
135 to 138
Volume
96

Californium-252 (Z = 98) is valued as a potent neutron source due to its spontaneous fission decay path. Thin film sources containing Cf-252 were prepared by two techniques: evaporation and self-transfer. The sources were analyzed by alpha and gamma spectroscopy. Results indicate that self-transfer sources exhibit less alpha energy straggling and energy loss than evaporative sources. Fission fragments may also self-transfer, and sources made by self-transfer may need some decay time to reach radioactive equilibrium.