Use of252Cf for elemental analysis

The neutron sources based on the²⁵²Cf isotope and having relatively long half-lives and the highest specific neutron yields compared with other ampouled sources are proved to be the most convenient for use in industrial analytical laboratories situated far from the basic nuclear centers. Research making use of californium sources is currently carried out in a number of nuclear centers of the USSR, including the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences, where a great amount of work have been done on verification of practical use of Cf sources of various activity in different branches of industry, first of all, in geology and mining industry.