Californium Neutron Irradiation Facility

A Cf-252 source is housed in a large (approximately 15 m x 10 m x 10 m high) room with concrete walls, floor, and ceiling. Inside the concrete is a 5.4 cm thick shell (5.3 m x 5.3 m x 5.9 m high) of anhydrous borax. The anhydrous borax prevents neutrons scattered by the concrete from returning to the source. Typical irradiations include sample activation experiments, electronic damage studies, and other special tests requiring high neutron fluence and a low-room-scatter environment.  Interference between successive calibrations through sulfur activation has been identified and eliminated by appropriate scheduling. NIST provides reference high-intensity Cf-252 neutron exposures in support of US nuclear programs.