[ RadSafe ] Neutron flux from electron accelerators

[Bernard L. Cohen]

Kulp, Jeffrey B wrote:
> Hello radsafers,
>
>  
>
>                 I am curious how neutrons are produced in an electron
> (and positron?) accelerator. Can anyone offer a brief explanation?
>
>   
Electrons decelerate on hitting a target to produce gamma rays 
(bremstrahlung) and these gamma rays induce nuclear reactions that emit 
neutrons.

-- 
Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept., University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245  Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc at pitt.edu  web site: http://www.phyast.pitt.edu/~blc