The neutron absorption reaction is the most important type of reaction that takes place in a nuclear reactor. The most important absorption reactions are divided by the exit channel into two following reactions:
- Radiative Capture. Most absorption reactions result in the loss of a neutron coupled with the production of one or more gamma rays. This is referred to as a capture reaction, and it is denoted by σγ.
- Neutron-induced Fission Reaction. Some nuclei (fissionable nuclei) may undergo a fission event, leading to two or more fission fragments (nuclei of intermediate atomic weight) and a few neutrons. In a fissionable material, the neutron may simply be captured, or it may cause nuclear fission. For fissionable materials, we thus divide the absorption cross-section as σa = σγ + σf.
Neutron Absorption Cross-section
The absorption cross-section represents the likelihood of a neutron absorption as σa. The relative likelihoods of an absorption reaction or a neutron scattering are represented by dividing the total cross-section into scattering and absorption cross-sections:
σt = σs + σa
Given a collision, σa / σt is the probability that the neutron will be
absorbed, and σs / σt is the probability that the neutron will be scattered.
Table of cross-sections.
Source: JANIS (Java-based Nuclear Data Information Software); The JEFF-3.1.1 Nuclear Data LibraryHydrogen. Neutron absorption and scattering. Comparison of cross-sections.
Source: JANIS (Java-based Nuclear Data Information Software); The JEFF-3.1.1 Nuclear Data LibraryXenon – 135. Neutron absorption and scattering. Comparison of cross-sections.
Source: JANIS (Java-based Nuclear Data Information Software); The JEFF-3.1.1 Nuclear Data Library