Einsteinium

Einsteinium is a synthetic radioactive chemical element with atomic number 99. First identified in debris from the 1952 Ivy Mike thermonuclear test, it is produced in tiny quantities and has no commercial applications.

Actinide: An actinide is one of the 15 metallic elements from actinium through lawrencium, characterized by filling 5f orbitals. Einsteinium is the eleventh actinide, following fermium in the series.
Ivy Mike: Ivy Mike was the first full-scale test of a thermonuclear device, conducted by the United States in 1952. Debris from the explosion contained the first identified einsteinium.
Neutron capture: Neutron capture is a nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus absorbs a neutron. Repeated neutron captures helped build einsteinium nuclei during the Ivy Mike explosion.
Einsteinium-254: Einsteinium-254 is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of about 276 days. Its comparatively longer half-life makes it useful for some laboratory studies.
Californium: Californium is a synthetic radioactive actinide with atomic number 98. It lies immediately before einsteinium and is produced in larger, more practical quantities.
Periodic table: The periodic table arranges chemical elements by atomic number and recurring chemical properties. Einsteinium’s position identifies it as a late actinide in period seven.
Thermonuclear weapon: A thermonuclear weapon releases energy through nuclear fusion initiated by a fission explosion. The extreme neutron flux in the Ivy Mike test produced heavy elements, including einsteinium.
Nuclear fission: Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into lighter nuclei, usually releasing energy and neutrons. Fission reactors provide neutron-rich environments for producing heavier einsteinium isotopes.
Moscovium: Moscovium is a synthetic element with atomic number 115, produced in particle accelerators. Einsteinium-berkelium targets have been investigated for producing superheavy elements, including moscovium.
Berkelium: Berkelium is a synthetic radioactive actinide with atomic number 97. It is a lighter neighboring actinide and can serve as a target for producing einsteinium.

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