Excitation function

Excitation function (a.k.a. yield curve) is a term used in nuclear physics to describe a graphical plot of the yield of a radionuclide or reaction channel as a function of the bombarding projectile energy or the calculated excitation energy of the compound nucleus.[1] The yield is the measured intensity of a particular transition.[2]

Uranium-235 tends to capture neutrons because of multiple resonances

The excitation function typically resembles a Gaussian bell curve and is mathematically described by a Breit–Wigner function, owing to the resonant nature of the production of the compound nucleus.[1][2] The energy value at the maximum yield on the excitation curve corresponds to the energy of the resonance.[2] The energy interval between 25% and 75% of the maximum yield on the excitation curve are equivalent to the resonance width.[2]

A nuclear reaction should be described by a complete study of the exit channel (1n,2n,3n etc.) excitation functions in order to allow a determination of the optimum energy to be used to maximize the yield.[1]

See also

References
  1. Iliadis, Christian (2015-05-26). Nuclear Physics of Stars: Iliadis/Nuclear Physics of Stars. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. doi:10.1002/9783527692668. ISBN 978-3-527-69266-8.
  2. Rolfs, Claus E. (1988). Cauldrons in the cosmos : nuclear astrophysics. William S. Rodney. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-72456-5. OCLC 16082955.


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