The fifth element in succession to emerge from the Berkeley, California cyclotron was element 98, californium (named after the State of origin). Californium-252, an isotope with a half-life of about 2.6 years, is a very strong neutron emitter. Because 3 percent of its decay occurs by spontaneous fission. Californium (Cf) chemical structure, technical & safety. all elements the follow it on the periodic table occur only as a result of artificial synthesis processes. Berkelium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with symbol Bk and atomic number 97. It is a member of the actinide and transuranium element series. Californium (Cf), synthetic chemical element of the actinoid series of the periodic table, atomic number 98. Not occurring in nature, californium (as the isotope. Discover more about Californium. One of thousands of articles selected and checked for the Wikipedia for Schools by SOS Children's Villages UK This WebElements periodic table page contains californium dichloride for the element californium Californium does not occur naturally. Is californium a natural or synthetic element?. but the following elements are usually produced through synthesis. Californium (selten auch Kalifornium geschrieben) ist ein künstlich erzeugtes chemisches Element mit dem Elementsymbol Cf und der Ordnungszahl 98. Californium is a radioactive metallic chemical element with symbol Cf and atomic number. Californium can also be used in nuclear synthesis of higher mass elements;.