delayed neutron

English

Noun

delayed neutron (plural delayed neutrons)

1. (nuclear physics) A neutron produced as a result of nuclear fission which is emitted upon the radioactive decay of a fission product nucleus seconds to minutes later, rather than at the time of the initial fission event. Less than 2% of fission neutrons are delayed neutrons (the exact proportion depends on the nuclide being fissioned).

Coordinate terms

• prompt neutron