neutronirradiation
Neutron irradiation is the exposure of a material or biological specimen to a flux of free neutrons. Neutrons are uncharged and can penetrate deeply, so irradiation sources such as nuclear reactors or spallation sources are commonly used. The resulting energy spectrum can be thermalized (thermal neutrons) or rich in higher-energy fast neutrons, depending on moderators and shielding.
During irradiation, neutrons interact with nuclei by elastic and inelastic scattering, neutron capture (n,γ), and other
In materials science, irradiation can cause displacement damage as atoms are knocked from lattice sites, creating
Applications of neutron irradiation include materials testing under reactor-relevant conditions, neutron activation analysis for trace element
Safety and handling considerations are central to neutron irradiation. Induced radioactivity requires shielding (often water and