2007-05-30 20:30:21 · 4 answers · asked by aungohnmar 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
There are several ways of making neutrons; one such is by placing an alpha emitter near a piece of beryllium. The reaction generates carbon and neutrons. For the first plutonium nuclear bomb, polonium was used as the alpha source because it is extremely radioactive.
2007-05-30 20:35:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small portable neutron generators work by colliding a beam of deuterium ions into a tritium loaded target. The neutrons then result from nuclear fusion.
2007-05-31 02:54:33 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neutron sources are hard to make.
The most common way to produce large quantities of neutrons is by spallation - bashing high energy protons into something.
2007-05-30 20:55:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most convenient sources of neutrons are nuclear reactors -you just open the shutter to the active zone - and voila.
You should also check this out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_source
2007-05-30 21:13:11 · answer #4 · answered by Regal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋