Use

Californium’s uses are limited, which is why the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,which controls the output and use of radioisotopes, has made californium-252 available forcommercial use at the cost of only $10 per millionth of a gram. This small quantity is adequatefor many sources of free neutrons to be used commercially. For example, free neutrons can be used in devices to measure moisture in products, including the Earth’s crust, to find wateror supplies of underground oil. Cf-252’s ability to produce neutrons has also found uses inmedicine. Cf-252’s natural spontaneous fission makes it an ideal and accurate counter forelectronic systems.