Californium a nuclear explosion. Californium is not a major radionuclide at United States Department of Energy legacy sites since it was not produced in large quantities. Californium was once believed to be produced in supernovas, as their decay matches the 60-day half-life of Cf. However, subsequent studies failed to demonstrate any californium spectra, and supernova light curves are now thought to follow the decay of nickel-56. The transuranic elements from americium to fermium, including californium, occurred naturally in the natural nuclear fission reactor at Oklo, but no longer do so. Californium is produced in nuclear reactors and particle accelerators. Californium-250 is
Californium(III) polyborate Californium(III) polyborate Californium polyborate is a covalent compound with formula Cf[BO(OH)]. In this compound the californium is in a +3 oxidation state. Californium polyborate is unusual in that californium is covalently bound to the borate. Californium was expected to resemble lanthanide elements in being highly ionic. The polyborate anion is polarisable and flexible. The 5f, 6d, 7s, and 7p orbitals of californium are all involved on the bonding. Most valence electrons are in the 5f orbital, and a significant fraction () in the 6d orbital, and smaller fractions of one electron are in the 7s and 7p orbitals. Californium(III) polyborate