NeutronInteractions.pptVIP

Neutron Interactions neutrons essentially interact only with the atomic nucleus cross-sections can vary dramatically and erratically based on complex interactions between all the nucleons in the nucleus and the incident neutron huge effort and money has been spent to measure these cross-sections for many materials and a wide range of neutron energies Neutron Interactions needed for shielding calculations and for many basic and applied type s of research: neutron scattering, crystal studies, DNA neutron activation analysis neutron radiography, paintings weapons research, neutron bombs nuclear structure neutron depth profiling neutron dosimetry Sources of Neutrons nuclear reactor most prolific source energy spectrum from the fission of 235U extends from several keV to more than 10 MeV most probable energy ~ 0.7 MeV average energy ~ 2 MeV there are no naturally occurring radioisotopes which emit neutrons Sources of Neutrons 1. one can manufacture a radioactive neutron source by combining an alpha emitting radionuclide such as 210Po, 226Ra or 239Pu with a light metal such as Be or B the reactions that follow are: 9Be(?, n)12C 10B(?, n)13N 11B(?, n)14N there is a continuous energy spectrum Sources of Neutrons (α,n) Sources of Neutrons 3. Photoneutron sources using (?,n) reactions by choosing radioisotopes with a single ?-ray then monoenergetic neutrons can be produced the sources are produced in a reactor using conventional (n,?) reactions except for 226Ra ? s then interact as follows: 9Be(?,n)8Be 2He(?,n)1H Sources of Neutrons Sources of Neutrons 4. Accelerator Neutrons particle accelerators are used to generate neutrons by means of nuclear reactions such as: D-T, D-N, P-N 3H(d,n)4He - Q-value = 17.6 MeV ?14.1MeV neutrons 2H(d,n)3He - Q-value = 3.27 MeV 7Li(p,n)7Be - Q-value = 1.65 MeV positive Q-values means the nuclear reaction can be induced with only several hundred keV ions Sources of Neutrons 5. Spontaneous Fission Sou