Notation. Nuclides are written with the mass number as a left superscript (e.g., ²⁶⁶Rf).
Columns. Stable? — Rutherfordium has no stable isotopes. Half-lives = evaluated values; # = extrapolated/systematics. Decay → daughter(s) shows main branches. Radiation: α, SF (spontaneous fission). Origin: all isotopes are synthetic. Uses: R research only.
Primary data spine: evaluated Isotopes of rutherfordium (ENSDF/NUBASE 2020).
Table — ground states
| Nuclide | Z | A | Stable? | Half-life | Decay → daughter(s) | Radiation | Origin | Notes & Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ²⁵³Rf | 104 | 253 | No | ~1 s | α → ²⁴⁹No | α | Fusion-evap. | R. |
| ²⁵⁴Rf | 104 | 254 | No | ~23 ms | α → ²⁵⁰No; SF | α; SF | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁵⁵Rf | 104 | 255 | No | 1.6 s | α → ²⁵¹No | α | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁵⁶Rf | 104 | 256 | No | 6.7 ms | SF (dominant) | SF | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁵⁷Rf | 104 | 257 | No | 4.7 s | α → ²⁵³No | α | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁵⁸Rf | 104 | 258 | No | 14 ms | SF | SF | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁵⁹Rf | 104 | 259 | No | 2.9 s | α → ²⁵⁵No | α | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁶⁰Rf | 104 | 260 | No | 22 ms | SF (dominant) | SF | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁶¹Rf | 104 | 261 | No | 65 s | α → ²⁵⁷No; SF | α; SF | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁶²Rf | 104 | 262 | No | 2.1 s | SF (dominant); α → ²⁵⁸No | SF; α | Synthetic | Studied in Dubna experiments. |
| ²⁶³Rf | 104 | 263 | No | 15 min | SF (dominant) | SF | Synthetic | Longest-lived isotope. |
| ²⁶⁴Rf | 104 | 264 | No | 2.5 min | SF | SF | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁶⁵Rf | 104 | 265 | No | 1.7 min | SF | SF | Synthetic | R. |
| ²⁶⁶Rf | 104 | 266 | No | 2.3 min | SF | SF | Synthetic | Used in chemical characterization of Rf. |
Natural isotopes of rutherfordium
- None.
- All isotopes are synthetic, produced in particle accelerators, usually via bombardment of heavy actinides (e.g., californium or curium) with lighter ions (C, N, O, Ne).
Applied & research highlights
- ²⁶³Rf (15 min) — the longest-lived isotope; critical for nuclear structure studies.
- ²⁶⁶Rf (2.3 min) — also relatively long-lived, used in first chemical experiments on rutherfordium, confirming its place as a Group 4 element (like Hf, Zr, Ti).
- Rf isotopes confirmed to form volatile halides, aligning chemically with hafnium.
- No applications beyond research — production is atom-by-atom.
Totals — Rutherfordium (Z = 104)
- Ground-state isotopes listed14 (A = 253–266).
- Stable0.
- Unstable14.
Running cumulative totals (through Rf):
From Lr ledger: ≥ 3 198 total, 252 stable, ≥ 2 945 unstable.
Add Rf (+14 total, +0 stable, +14 unstable) → ≥ 3 212 total, 252 stable, ≥ 2 959 unstable.
Sources
- Isotopic list (A = 253–266)Isotopes of rutherfordium (ENSDF/NUBASE 2020).
- Discovery (Dubna, 1964; confirmed Berkeley, 1969)transactinide synthesis history.
- Chemistry confirmation (²⁶⁶Rf)studies showing Rf behaves like Group 4 metal.
Next element: Dubnium — Db (Z = 105).
Key terms in plain language
Open a term for a concise explanation of language used on this page.
Broadband
A general term for always-on, high-speed Internet access. Broadband can be delivered over fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless, cellular, or satellite networks.
Cloud Computing
Computing resources—such as applications, servers, storage, or databases—delivered from remote infrastructure and scaled as requirements change.
Cybersecurity
The practices and controls used to protect identities, devices, networks, applications, and data from unauthorized access, disruption, or manipulation.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
The systems and policies that determine who a user is, what resources they may access, and how that access is authenticated and reviewed.
API
An application programming interface is a defined way for software systems to exchange data or request functions from one another.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Software designed to perform tasks involving prediction, classification, generation, reasoning, or decision support. Business use still requires clear data, governance, security, and human accountability.