Frontier Technology Corporation designs and manufactures standard and custom californium-252 sources for applications across a range of industries. All of our sources are approved for licensing purposes by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) for general use and we offer these capabilities:

  • Californium-252 Solutions for the Research IndustryCapsules containing Cf-252 isotope in wire form, up to a maximum content level of 5 mg Standard and custom single- and double-encapsulated neutron sources
  • Custom made, within established size parameters
  • Capsule fabrication materials including Type 304L stainless steel, Zircaloy-2, platinum, and other alloys
  • Capsules sealed by circumferential TIG welding, holding a tolerance of ±10%
  • All products and processes meet rigorous industry standards including regulations from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ISO 2919, ASTM, and ANSI
  • Special Form certification of all Model 10 sources by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)

Your Trusted Cf-252 Neutron Source Manufacturer

Since 1984, Ohio-based Frontier has become the world’s leading manufacturer of sealed Cf-252 neutron sources. As such, we are committed to the highest standards for safety and quality including:

  • IAEA special form compliant manufacturer of Type-A certified shipping containers for radioactive materials
  • All products and processes meet rigorous industry standards including regulations from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ISO 2919, ASTM, and ANSI
  • Licensed to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) with regulations consistent to the NRC
  • Shipping to over 200 countries, excluding embargo list countries
  • NIST Traceability
  • Any depleted californium-252 neutron source fabricated in our facility can be returned to us for proper disposal. Customers pay for shipping only – disposal services are free of charge.

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Standard Californium-252 Neutron Sources: Model 10 Series

The Model 10 series are single-encapsulated sources, generally used as inner capsules for sources requiring multiple encapsulation. Because of this, they are highly versatile for many applications, while still licensed and transported as Model 10 sources.

The Model 10 source series has Special Form certification by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Nominal dimensions for the Frontier Technology Corporation Model 10 and 10S sources are shown below in the expanded dropdowns.

Standard Neutron Source Model 10

Standard Neutron Source Model 10

Dimensions & Details

DimensionsModel 10
Outside diameter0.217/0.218 inch
5.51/5.54mm
Outside length0.975 inch
24.77mm
Inside diameter0.154 inch
3.91mm
Inside length0.75 inch
19.05mm
Maximum content:5 milligrams
Californium-252

Download Model 10 Drawing (Inches)

Download Model 10 Drawing (Metric)

Standard Neutron Source Model 10S

Standard Neutron Source Model 10S

Dimensions & Details

DimensionsModel 10S
Outside diameter0.217/0.218 inch
5.51/5.54mm
Outside length0.470 inch
11.94mm
Inside diameter0.154 inch
3.91mm
Inside length0.24 inch
6.10mm
Maximum content:4 milligrams
Californium-252

Download Model 10S Drawing (Inches)

Download Model 10S Drawing (Metric)


Standard Californium-252 Neutron Sources: Model 100 Series

The Model 100 series are double-encapsulated sources that use a Model 10 series source as the primary encapsulation. Thirty-two versions of the standard length source are available in various combinations of inner and outer capsule materials, orientations, and with or without the threaded stud. Upon request, custom configurations are also available.

 

Model 10 Series Inserted Into Model 100 Series

Model 10 series are single encapsulated sources. When inserted into the Model 100 series it creates the double encapsulated source assembly.

Standard Californium-252 Neutron Sources

Nominal dimensions for the Frontier Technology Corporation Model 100, Model 100S, and Model 100SNS sources are shown in the expanded dropdowns below.

Standard Neutron Source Model 100

Standard Neutron Source Model 100 Drawing

Dimensions & Details

DimensionsModel 100
Outside diameter0.370/0.371 inch
9.398/9.423mm
Outside length 1.48 inches
37.59mm
Inside diameter0.234/0.235 inch
5.953/5.982mm
Inside length1.02 inches
30.6mm
Maximum content:10 milligrams
Californium-252

Download Model 100 Drawing (Inches)

Download Model 100 Drawing (Metric)

Standard Neutron Source Model 100S

Standard Neutron Source Model 100S Drawing

Dimensions & Details

DimensionsModel 100S
Outside diameter0.370/0.371 inch
9.398/9.423mm
Outside length 0.97 inch
24.6mm
Inside diameter0.234/0.235 inch
5.953/5.982mm
Inside length0.52 inch
13.2mm
Maximum content:4 milligrams
Californium-252

Download Model 100S Drawing (Inches)

Download Model 100S Drawing (Metric)

Standard Neutron Source Model 100SNS

Standard Neutron Source Model 100SNS Drawing

Dimensions & Details

DimensionsModel 100SNS
Outside diameter0.370/0.371 inch
9.398/9.423 mm
Outside length 0.77 inch
19.55 mm
Inside diameter0.234/0.235 inch
5.953/5.982 mm
Inside length0.52 inch
13.2 mm
Maximum content:
Californium-252

Download Model 100SNS Drawing (Inches)

Download Model 100SNS Drawing (Metric)


Custom Californium-252 Neutron Source Attachments

Custom californium-252 source attachments are available in configurations designed for your specific application. Available variations include but are not limited to:

  • Handling rods
  • Pigtails
  • Cables
  • Lanyards
  • Eyelets
  • Source capsule holders
  • Outer wall thicknesses
  • Other attachments (integration points for multi-system applications)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the similarities and differences between Frontier's Model 10 and Model 10S capsules?

  • Both are single-encapsulated sources.
  • Both are certified as Special Form by IAEA.
  • Both are inner capsules for double-encapsulated sources. (Model 100)
  • Model 10 = 5.5mm x 24.8mm
  • Model 10S = 5.5mm x 11.9mm

What is Cf-252? What does it look like?

Californium is a radioactive element with extensive industrial applications. First identified in 1950 at the University of California Berkeley, Cf-252 is the only isotope of californium that spontaneously emits neutrons. A single microgram can release up to 170 million neutrons per minute. Californium was the sixth transuranium element to be discovered, but it remains one of the only to be broadly used in applications such as nuclear start-up, sand, shale, oil and gas, and more.

Californium-252 is a radioactive metal that is measured in micrograms and milligrams. (Other isotopes are measured in the form of Curies).

Cf-252 is a silver-white metal, and the isotope has a half-life of just 2.65 years. It has a primary energy of 2 MeV.

View of Californium under a microscope

What are the advantages of Cf-252?

Cf-252 offers several key advantages that make it useful in a range of industries. As an extremely powerful neutron emitter, it is an ideal startup source for nuclear reactors, which require a large and stable neutron source. Its powerful neutron emission means a small piece of Cr-252 can be used in applications with size limitations such as boreholes and well logging.

Cf-252 sources are portable and temperature-stable, so they can be used in extreme high-temperature environments in the field, not only in labs or other facilities.

What is Cf-252 used for?

The primary applications of Cf-252 are: material analysis and neutron emission. Material analysis applications include detecting hazardous materials – including IEDs –  via PINS systems by the military and defense industries, as well as composition analysis in the oil and gas industry to analyze drill sites, and in the coal and cement industries to detect the elemental composition of the material in real-time.

In the nuclear energy industry, Cf-252’s spontaneous neutron emission is used to initiate the nuclear chain reaction needed to start up a nuclear reactor.

Other industries that rely on Cf-252 include academic and research institutions, governmental research and lab facilities, and medical facilities, which primarily use Cf-252 for research or spectroscopy.

How is Cf-252 contained and protected?

Since Cf-252 is radioactive, it must be thoroughly contained to protect nearby people, structures, and equipment. At Frontier, we offer both single and double encapsulation for Cf-252 neutron sources. An inner capsule can be used on its own as a single encapsulated capsule,  whereas a double encapsulated capsule contains both an inner and an outer capsule. Our capsules are constructed from durable stainless steel or Zircaloy-2.

Choosing the Right Californium-252 Supplier

Our new eBook, Key Factors in Choosing the Right Californium-252 Supplier, explores important aspects to consider when choosing a Cf-252 supplier to meet your needs.

Download eBook

Neutron Source Uses & Applications

Californium-252 neutron sources are used in a number of applications due to its radioactive properties. Some of the most popular applications include: