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 listed: 14 (A = 253–266).
- Stable: 0.
- Unstable: 14.
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).