Neutronstrålning

Neutronstrålning is a form of ionizing radiation consisting of neutrons. Neutrons are subatomic particles with no net electric charge. Because they are neutral, they can penetrate materials more effectively than charged particles like alpha or beta particles, which are more easily stopped by interactions with electrons. Neutrons are typically produced in nuclear reactions, such as nuclear fission in reactors or nuclear explosions. They can also be generated by certain radioactive decay processes and through particle accelerators.

The interaction of neutrons with matter is different from that of charged particles. Neutrons do not directly ionize atoms. Instead, they interact with atomic nuclei through scattering or absorption. When a neutron is absorbed by a nucleus, it can cause the nucleus to become unstable, leading to the emission of gamma rays, or it can induce radioactivity in the target material. This property makes neutrons useful in various applications, including neutron activation analysis, where the induced radioactivity is used to identify elements in a sample, and in nuclear reactors for sustaining the fission chain reaction.

Due to their penetrating power, neutron radiation can be hazardous. Shielding against neutrons requires materials that effectively scatter or absorb them, such as hydrogen-rich materials like water or polyethylene, or materials with a high neutron absorption cross-section like boron or cadmium. The biological effects of neutron radiation are complex and depend on the energy of the neutrons and the tissues exposed.