neutronenabsortie

Neutronenabsortie refers to the process by which a nucleus captures a neutron. This interaction can lead to several outcomes, the most common being the formation of a heavier isotope of the capturing element. For instance, a nucleus of element X with mass number A capturing a neutron will become an isotope of element X with mass number A+1.

This process is crucial in nuclear reactors, where control rods made of materials with high neutron absorption cross-sections, such as cadmium or boron, are used to regulate the chain reaction. By absorbing neutrons, these materials prevent them from causing further fissions, thus controlling the power output of the reactor.

Neutronenabsortie can also induce radioactivity. If the resulting isotope is unstable, it may undergo radioactive decay, emitting particles or energy. In some cases, the absorption of a neutron can lead to fission, where the nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy and more neutrons, perpetuating a chain reaction. The probability of neutronenabsortie is quantified by the neutron absorption cross-section, which is a measure of how likely a nucleus is to capture a neutron. This cross-section is dependent on the specific isotope and the energy of the neutron.