What is neutron moderation?

1 Answer
Mark C.
Sep 25, 2017

The slowing of neutrons to increase their chances of absorption into a fissile nucleus.

Explanation:

When neutrons are emitted from a fission reaction they are moving very fast, and described as being 'hot'. They need to be slowed by repeated collisions with the moderator (typically graphite, but other materials work too) so they become 'thermal' neutrons in equilibrium with the other species in the reactor core. This vastly improves the probability of them being absorbed by a U-235 nucleus to form U-236 which is then fissile.

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