Isotopes of californium projectiles, mortar projectiles, rockets, bombs, land mines, and improvised explosive devices (IED). In the oil industry, Cf-252 neutron sources are used to find layers of petroleum and water in a well. Instrumentation is lowered into the well which bombards the formation with high energy neutrons to determine porosity, permeability, and hydrocarbon presence along the length of the borehole. Californium-252 has also been used in the treatment of serious forms of cancer. In patients suffering from certain types of brain and cervical cancer, Cf-252 can be used as a more cost-effective substitute for radium. Isotopes of californium Californium (Cf) is an
Californium compounds hexagonal structure. Californium(III) iodide (CfI) is a lemon-yellow solid that has a rhombohedral structure and sublimes at ~800 °C. Californium(III) oxyfluoride (CfOF) is prepared by hydrolysis of californium(III) fluoride (CfF) at high temperature. Californium(III) oxychloride (CfOCl) is prepared by hydrolysis of the hydrate of californium(III) chloride at 280–320 °C. Heating the sulfate in air at about 1200 °C and then reducing with hydrogen at 500 °C produces the sesquioxide (CfO). The hydroxide Cf(OH) and the trifluoride CfF are slightly soluble. Californium(III) oxychloride (CfOCl) was the first californium compound to be discovered. Californium(III) polyborate is unusual in that californium is covalently