SEDL / STP / STP261-EB / STP44341S

Application of the (n,α) Reaction

Bushey, A. H.
General Engineering Laboratory, General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.

Thompson, B. A.
General Engineering Laboratory, General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.

Pages: 2    Published: Jan 1960

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Abstract

Analytical procedures involving neutron irradiation most commonly employ the (n,γ) reaction. In this case a neutron is added to the nucleus of the parent nuclide; a “prompt gamma” ray is simultaneously emitted and a radioactive isotope of the original atom remains. A less commonly employed reaction is the (n,α), in which the parent atom takes up a neutron and simultaneously emits an alpha particle, thereby undergoing transmutation.