9. Glossary

Effective cross-section

A physical quantity that characterizes the probability of a given type of interaction occurring between an incident particle and a target particle. Multiplied by a particle flow, it can be used to calculate a reaction rate, i.e. the number of nuclear reactions occurring per unit volume and per unit time.

Threshold energy

Minimum kinetic energy required by interacting particles to trigger an endoenergetic reaction.

Resonance ; Resonance

In nuclear physics, the excited state of a compound nucleus* formed by the addition of a target nucleus and an incident neutron. It is associated with an effective cross-section described by nuclear models.

Source term; source term

It characterizes the radiological...