[ RadSafe ] Californium vs. Americium

[John Jacobus]

Syd
Cf-252, which I think you are refering to, also
undergoes spontaneous fission, that leads to the
producting of radioactive fission fragments beyond the
alpha particles.

--- "Syd H. Levine" <syd.levine at mindspring.com> wrote:

> Aside from half-life considerations, what are the
> technical issues with 
> using Californium in place of Americium in Be based
> neutron sources (for 
> well logging)?  Are the neutrons of the same energy?
> 
> My understaning is the half-life is 2.64 years and
> that the well logging 
> sources are made up with about 30 Ci initially so
> that you wind up with 
> around 15 Ci at the end of that time period.  I am
> guessing one might be 
> able to log with them for five years maybe, then
> they could still be used 
> for tools that only need 3 Ci or so for awhile?
> 
> TIA
> 
> Syd H. Levine
>

+++++++++++++++++++
“All men dream, but not equally. Some dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds and wake in the day to find it is vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible.”
Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence

-- John
John Jacobus, MS
Certified Health Physicist
e-mail:  crispy_bird at yahoo.com


 
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