Neutron Source Strength Estimates From (α, n) Reactions in Binary Mixtures of Actinide Particles and Light Element Particles

Abstract

This paper describes an example of a model used to estimate the neutron source term from (α, n) reactions from a mixture of PuO2 and BeO particles. The (α, n) reaction occurs when an α-particle, emitted by an actinide isotope such as 239Pu, collides with, and is absorbed by, the nucleus of a light element such as beryllium. Neutrons are produced through the reaction 24α+49Be→612C+01n.(1) This reaction is commonly abbreviated as 9Be(α, n)12C, or just Be(α, n).