1. Different strategies for transmuting minor actinides

1.1 Which reactors for transmutation?

Transmutation is the transformation of long-lived radionuclides into non-radioactive or much shorter-lived elements under a neutron flux. It can be achieved either by a fission reaction or by a neutron capture reaction. In the case of fission, the atomic nucleus is transformed into fission products, most of which are short-lived (less than 50 years). In the case of fission by capture, the nucleus is transformed into another radionuclide, which does not necessarily lead to a significant reduction in radiotoxicity in the medium or long term. For efficient transmutation, fission reactions are naturally preferred to capture reactions.

Table 1 gives the mean capture...