Neutronkiirguse

Neutronkiirguse, also known as neutron radiation, is a form of electromagnetic radiation that consists of energetic neutrons. Neutrons are subatomic particles with no electric charge, making them highly penetrating and capable of interacting with atomic nuclei. This radiation is typically produced during nuclear fission and fusion reactions, as well as through radioactive decay of certain isotopes.

The primary characteristic of neutron radiation is its ability to induce radioactivity in stable materials through neutron activation. When a neutron is absorbed by an atomic nucleus, it can transform the nucleus into an unstable isotope, which then decays and emits other forms of radiation. This property is utilized in various applications, such as neutron activation analysis for material characterization and in nuclear reactors for sustaining the chain reaction.

Due to their lack of charge, neutrons do not interact with matter via electromagnetic forces as readily as charged particles or photons. Instead, they interact directly with atomic nuclei through nuclear forces. This means that neutron radiation can penetrate significant thicknesses of materials that would effectively shield against alpha, beta, or gamma radiation. However, this also makes them difficult to shield. Materials rich in hydrogen, such as water, paraffin wax, or concrete, are effective neutron moderators and absorbers because hydrogen nuclei readily absorb neutrons.

Neutron radiation can be harmful to living organisms. While neutrons themselves do not directly ionize matter, their interactions with nuclei within biological tissues can produce energetic charged particles, which then cause ionization and damage to cells and DNA. Therefore, appropriate shielding and safety precautions are essential when working with neutron sources. Applications for neutron radiation include medical imaging, cancer therapy, and industrial gauging.