neutron flux

Neutron flux refers to the rate at which neutrons pass through a specific area in a given amount of time, usually expressed as neutrons per square centimeter per second. It's a measure used in nuclear physics and engineering to understand how many neutrons are present in a particular zone, especially inside a reactor. This helps assess nuclear reactions, fuel efficiency, and safety, since neutrons are key to sustaining the chain reaction in nuclear energy. Essentially, neutron flux tells us how intensely neutrons are moving through a material, indicating the activity level of a nuclear process.