Photoatomic and photonuclear reactions

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In summary, the main interaction between gamma rays and atoms is energy-dependent. Cross-sections of radiation sources can be found from various laboratories or catalogs.
  • #1
Stephan_doc
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Grettings to all,
I'm interested to know which are the main interaction between:

1.gamma-atom, also known like photoatomic reactions
2.gamma-nuclei, photonuclear reactions. e.g photofission

Thank you!
 
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  • #2
Stephan_doc said:
Grettings to all,
I'm interested to know which are the main interaction between:

1.gamma-atom, also known like photoatomic reactions
2.gamma-nuclei, photonuclear reactions. e.g photofission

Thank you!
The photo-atomic reaction implies a gamma-electron reaction. The two possibilities are 1) complete absorption of the gamma photon, photoelectric absorption, in which the electron obtains an energy equivalent to the energy of the gamma less the binding energy of the electron, and 2) scattering, generally known as Compton scattering, in which the gamma photon scatters off the electron with less energy (longer wave length) and the electron absorbs that energy and moves to a higher energy level or is ejected from the atom.

With respect to the nucleus, there are two possibilities: 1) pair production, which has a threshold approximately equal to two electron rest masses (+ some recoil energy of the atom, which is very low because of the nuclear mass) and 2) photoneutron emission, which has a threshold equal to the binding energy of the 'last' neutron, which is just a way of saying the smallest binding energy level. In the case of a deuteron, an interaction with a gamma of sufficient energy (~2.226 MeV), causes photodissociation, and similarly for 9Be, a gamma of ~1.666 MeV causes photoemission of a neutron producing 8Be, which is unstable and which promptly dissociates into 2 alpha particles.
 
  • #3
Thank you very much for the answer good Astronuc.
Can you tell me where i can find a short description of these phenomena e.g cross section for all nuclides.
For a good understanding i need to write equation of reaction U238+gamma.
Which is main of interaction process between gamma and U238?
 
  • #4
Stephan_doc said:
Thank you very much for the answer good Astronuc.
Can you tell me where i can find a short description of these phenomena e.g cross section for all nuclides.
For a good understanding i need to write equation of reaction U238+gamma.
Which is main of interaction process between gamma and U238?
The main interaction is energy dependent, but for gammas less than 1.0222 MeV, the main interactions would be Compton scattering and photoelectric absorption.

Chapter 1 Radiation Sources, IV. Sources Of Electromagnetic Radiation, C. Photoneutron sources , p. 23
http://books.google.com/books?id=4vTJ7UDel5IC&lpg=PP1&pg=RA1-PA23#v=onepage&q&f=false

Chapter 2 Radiation Interactions, III. Interaction of Gamma Rays, pp. 47-51

From Glenn F. Knoll, Radiation Detection and Measurement, Fourth Edition, Wiley, 2010
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-EHEP001606.html

See also - http://www.bnl.gov/ncss/files/ppt/Gamma%20Ray%20Interactions_%20week%202%20Tuesday%20lecture.ppt

Cross-sections would be available from various laboratories or catalogs of radiation sources, or taken from MCNP code (Los Alamos National Lab), or

IAEA - http://www-nds.iaea.org/photonuclear/
 
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  • #5
Thank a lot, these books are very useful.
What formula might be applied to compute binding energy of 'last' neutron or binding energy level for nuclei shells?
When take place reaction such as:(gamma,p), (gamma,He3), (gamma,2n), (gamma,alpha)
 
Last edited:

Related to Photoatomic and photonuclear reactions

1. What are photoatomic and photonuclear reactions?

Photoatomic and photonuclear reactions are types of nuclear reactions that occur when a photon, or particle of light, interacts with an atomic nucleus. These reactions can result in the emission or absorption of high-energy particles, such as gamma rays, and can also cause changes in the structure of the nucleus.

2. What is the difference between photoatomic and photonuclear reactions?

The main difference between photoatomic and photonuclear reactions is the energy of the photon involved. Photoatomic reactions occur when a photon with a relatively low energy interacts with an atom, causing an electron to be emitted or absorbed. Photonuclear reactions, on the other hand, occur with higher energy photons and involve the nucleus of an atom, resulting in the emission or absorption of particles such as protons, neutrons, or gamma rays.

3. What are some applications of photoatomic and photonuclear reactions?

Photoatomic and photonuclear reactions have a wide range of applications in fields such as nuclear energy, medical imaging and cancer treatment, and basic research in nuclear physics. These reactions are also used in the development of new materials and in the study of astrophysics.

4. How are photoatomic and photonuclear reactions studied?

These reactions are studied through experiments in which photons are directed at a target material and the resulting emissions and changes in the nucleus are measured. The data collected from these experiments can then be analyzed using various theoretical models to better understand the underlying processes and dynamics of these reactions.

5. Are there any potential risks associated with photoatomic and photonuclear reactions?

Like all types of nuclear reactions, there are potential risks associated with photoatomic and photonuclear reactions, such as the production of radioactive materials or the release of high-energy particles. However, these reactions are carefully controlled and studied in controlled environments to minimize these risks and ensure the safety of those involved.

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