- The process of slowing down fast neutrons is almost wholly due to
elastic scattering. The fraction transferred will depend on
the mass of the scattering nucleus and the angle through which the
neutron is scattered.
- After a sufficient number of collinsions, the neutron will
effectively be in thermal equilibrium with the atoms of the
scattering medium.
- Therefore, these are now thermal neutrons.
where: |
|
| A |
= mass of target nucleus / mass of neutron |
| En |
= incoming neutron kinetic energy |
| ER |
= recoil nucleus kinetic energy |
| q |
= scattering angle of recoil nucleus (not neutron) |
