Detection of Neutrons Released from Beryllium by Gamma Rays: A New Technique for Generating Active Radiation

In September 1934, Leo Szilard and Chalmers noted that the rays emitted from beryllium under the influence of gamma rays from radium excite the active radiation in iodine, leading us to conclude that neutrons are released from beryllium by gamma rays.

Introduction

In September 1934, Leo Szilard and Chalmers noted that the rays emitted from beryllium under the influence of gamma rays from radium excite the active radiation in iodine, leading us to conclude that neutrons are released from beryllium by gamma rays. Two months later, A. Prash and his colleagues, including Szilard and Chalmers, reported a similar effect using X-rays instead of gamma rays. Even more ominously, the presence of active radiation induced by neutrons also suggested the possibility of neutron chain reactions – using neutrons emitted from radioactive elements to generate active radiation and release more neutrons from other nuclei. The first illustrative experiment came four years later, following the discovery of nuclear fission in uranium.

Detection of Nuclear Fission

In September 1934, Leo Szilard and Chalmers noted that the rays emitted from beryllium under the influence of gamma rays from radium excite the active radiation in iodine, leading us to conclude that neutrons are released from beryllium by gamma rays. Two months later, A. Prash and his colleagues, including Szilard and Chalmers, reported a similar effect using X-rays instead of gamma rays. Even more ominously, the presence of active radiation induced by neutrons also suggested the possibility of neutron chain reactions – using neutrons emitted from radioactive elements to generate active radiation and release more neutrons from other nuclei. The first illustrative experiment came four years later, following the discovery of nuclear fission in uranium.

The Active Effect of Neutrons

In September 1934, Leo Szilard and Chalmers noted that the rays emitted from beryllium under the influence of gamma rays from radium excite the active radiation in iodine, leading us to conclude that neutrons are released from beryllium by gamma rays. Two months later, A. Prash and his colleagues, including Szilard and Chalmers, reported a similar effect using X-rays instead of gamma rays. Even more ominously, the presence of active radiation induced by neutrons also suggested the possibility of neutron chain reactions – using neutrons emitted from radioactive elements to generate active radiation and release more neutrons from other nuclei. The first illustrative experiment came four years later, following the discovery of nuclear fission in uranium.

The Active Effect of Neutrons

In September 1934, Leo Szilard and Chalmers noted that the rays emitted from beryllium under the influence of gamma rays from radium excite the active radiation in iodine, leading us to conclude that neutrons are released from beryllium by gamma rays. Two months later, A. Prash and his colleagues, including Szilard and Chalmers, reported a similar effect using X-rays instead of gamma rays. Even more ominously, the presence of active radiation induced by neutrons also suggested the possibility of neutron chain reactions – using neutrons emitted from radioactive elements to generate active radiation and release more neutrons from other nuclei. The first illustrative experiment came four years later, following the discovery of nuclear fission in uranium.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/134494b0

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