Neutrons can be captured and isolated from an atom through various methods. One common method is neutron production in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. In nuclear reactors, neutrons are generated through the process of nuclear fission, where heavy atomic nuclei, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, are split into smaller fragments, releasing energy and additional neutrons.
To capture and isolate neutrons, several techniques can be employed:
- Moderator