Types of Neutron Interactions

The interactions of neutrons with nuclei are divided into two categories scattering and absorption. 

Scattering. In this type of interaction, the neutron interacts with a nucleus, but both particles reappear after the reaction. A scattering collision is indicated as an ( , n) reaction or as 

Absorption. If the interaction is an absorption, the neutron disappears, but one or more other particles appear after the reaction takes place. Table 4.5 illustrates some examples of absorptive reactions. 

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Neutrons are most commonly encountered as a result of fission reactions or a-n reactions where an alpha particle collides with a nucleus resulting in the emission of a neutron. Beryllium or fluorine is used with an alpha emitter to create neutron sources such as Pu-Be, Po-Be, Am-Be, or Pup4 sources. Because neutrons have no charge, they like gamma rays, do not have Coulombic interactions, and interact only intermittently. Each of these interactions is a probabilistic occurrence. There are three main types of neutron interactions ... 

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