Neutron capture is an efficient process to produce nuclear transmutation.
A "father" element E
f
(A,Z) captures a neutron transmutes to another E
s (A+1,Z).
This "son" can be either used
directly or undergo an spontaneous nuclear transformation (beta decay,
for instance) into another radio-active isotope.
Using a diffusing material like lead (Pb), the device (transmuter) permits
a very efficient neutron capture ratio (see
Neutron
dynamics
).
The Transmuter is driven by an internal neutron source, which, depending
on the
application
can be of a large range of intensities and energy (see
Neutron supply
).
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