Pu-Be Sources

["Christopher W. Becker" <cwbecker@umich.edu>]

All,

The question has come up as to whether it is prudent to substitute a 
Californium-252 source for our neutron sources in lieu of Pu-Be sources. 
 The idea is that the Californium is easier to dispose of.

Questions:

Who makes Californium sources that can produce the same neutron strength as 
a 1 Ci Pu239-Be source and a 40 Ci Pu238-Be source?

What are the costs?  And in what for are the sources?

Are the disposal hardships for Cf-252 the same as for Pu?  In other words 
are we not solving the problem......final disposal of the source?

Are there problems with stability of Cf-252 source, such as pressure 
buildup over time, etc.

Also, is an Am-241/Be source a better substitute?

Christopher W. Becker, Reactor Laboratory Manager
Phoenix Memorial Laboratory - Ford Nuclear Reactor
T h e    U n i v e r s i t y    o f    M i c h i g a n
2301 Bonisteel Boulevard
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2100
Phone:	(734) 764-6224
Fax:	(734) 936-1571
http://www.umich.edu/~mmpp/

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