Einsteinium Production

Einsteinium nucleus are obtained on cyclotron bombardment of Uranium, Berkelium or Californium by accelerated ions of Nitrogen, Helium or Deuterium, respectively. ²⁵³Es and ²⁵⁴Es is produced in nuclear reactors during long bombardment of Plutonium, Curium or Californium. The first Einsteinium had been produced by simultaneous neutron trapping by Uranium with consequent β^--decay.

²³⁸U₉₂ + 15n -> ²⁵³U₉₂ --(7β^-)--> ²⁵³Es₉₉

In total, in the USA, only 2mg of ²⁵³Es produced annually. Einsteinium is separated by sorption and extraction techniques. Einsteinium metal is obtained by reduction of EsF₃ by vapor lithium.