Frontier Technology Corporation (FTC) has been at the forefront of californium-252 (Cf-252) neutron source manufacturing and design since 1984. FTC is an innovator in the logistics, packaging, and shipping of radioactive materials.

As our core industrial focus, we serve the nuclear industry with:

  • Californium-252 (Cf-252) neutron sources
  • Nuclear start-up rod assemblies (NSA)
  • Type-A radioactive shipping containers

We offer a variety of product research, testing, and monitoring services as well.

Here we provide you with all you need to know about our neutron sources and capabilities for nuclear applications.

Californium-252

About Californium-252 Neutron Sources at Frontier Technology Corporation

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Nuclear Industry

In 1950, the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory at the University of California created the first 5,000 Cf-252 atoms using a cyclotron to bombard a microgram of curium with alpha particles.

In 1954, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory successfully produced weighable amounts of Cf-252 using a high flux isotope reactor (HFIR). The laboratory produces approximately 25 mg of the isotope annually.

Protecting Cf-252 sources during their transport and implementation is vital. At FTC, our californium-252 isotope is effectively encapsulated within custom neutron shielding walls, which is made with our highly effective water extended polyester (WEP) material. When shipping Cf-252, our Type-A radioactive shipping containers provide safe storage. We make our protective storage and shipping containers in-house to ensure the highest standards.

Model 10

Our single-encapsulated Cf-252 source is part of the Model 10 series, a capsule commonly implemented within multilayer enclosures. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) certified our Model 10 as Special Form, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved it for general use.

Made with all NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) traceable materials, the capsule is zircaloy-2 or 304L stainless steel with a TIG-welded enclosure.

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Model 100

The Model 100 series is a double-encapsulated source that includes a Model 10 series inner capsule.

The outer capsule uses stainless steel 304L or zircalloy-2 materials, with various customizable options.

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