Review of Interaction of Radiation with Matter (Ref.

Lamarsh)
Draft 18-06-13 (to be modified)

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Lamarsh 3.1

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Lamarsh 3.2

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Lamarsh 3.3

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A specific reaction is studied by measuring the angles and kinetic energies of the
reaction products (the kinematic variables). Particle and radiation detectors designed for the
expected charge and energy of each product are arranged around the target. The most important
quantity of interest for a specific set of kinematic variables is the
reaction cross section. The cross section is a measure of the probability for a particular reaction
to occur. This quantity, , which has the dimension of area, is measured by the experimental
ratio
Examine the solved example 3.1
= number of reaction particles emitted/ (number of beam particles per unit area)(number of target nuclei within the beam) .

Scattering Mechanisms

1. Elastic scattering: main mechanism of energy loss in the MeV range

Inelastic scattering: Nucleus is left in an excited state which decays by radiative

emission; energy of neutron has to be high enough for excitation (typically > 1MeV)

Absorption Mechanisms

2. Fission: most likely at thermal energies

Radiative neutron capture: cross section µ1/v à only relevant for slow neutrons, ressonance
peaks superimposed

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 Other nuclear reactions: caption of neutron +emission of charged particle, typically in the range
of eV to keV, cross section µ1/v +resonances

Note See animations of interactions on the following website:

http://www.safetyoffice.uwaterloo.ca/hse/radiation/rad_sealed/interaction/neutron_interactions.htm

Lamarsh 3.5 Compound Nucleus

Compound nucleus formation is a reaction in which two nuclei combine into a single
excited nucleus; the excited nucleus lives for a relatively long time and “forgets” how it was
formed. The decay from this state of excitation is by “evaporation” of nucleons from the heated
liquid drop of the compound nucleus, by gamma decay, or by fission of the compound nucleus.
The statistical nature of this process teaches us about the average properties of excited states of
complex nuclei.

Elastic Scattering of neutrons

This is the most important process for slowing down neutrons.
Total kinetic energy is conserved in elastic scattering.

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In this process, energy lost by the neutron is transferred to the recoiling nucleus.
Maximum energy transfer is occurred with an head-on collision.
Energy of the recoiled nucleus depends on the recoiled angle φ of nucleus.

Inelastic Scattering
The neutron is absorbed and then re-emitted
Some energy is absorbed to the nucleus and left nucleus in the excited state .
Nucleus de-excited by emission of gamma rays or other particles
In general, A(n, n’)A*, A(n, 2n’)B
Example: 14 N(n, n’ ) N* , Eg = 10 MeV

Inelastic scattering occurs above a threshold energy y. ( Eth ~ 1 MeV ). Only elastic
scattering allowed below Et

Lamarsh 3.8
TABLE 1.4. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT, RAYLEIGH SCATTERING, THE
COMPTON EFFECT AND PAIR PRODUCTION (from radiation
Oncology Physics- Handbook for Teachers and Students)

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Lamarsh 3.9 Charged Particles