Curium-248 is a synthetic radioactive isotope of the element curium, which is part of the actinide series in the periodic table. It has an atomic number of 96 and is produced through the bombardment of plutonium with neutrons. Curium-248 has a half-life of about 340 days, decaying primarily through alpha emission. This isotope is used in various scientific applications, including research in nuclear physics and as a source of neutrons in certain types of nuclear reactors. Due to its radioactivity, handling curium-248 requires strict safety protocols to protect against radiation exposure.