In a thermal reactor the gamma ray sources of importance for shielding calculations and related aspects are (1) fission, (2) decay of fission products, (3) capture processes in fuel, poison and other materials, (4) inelastic scattering in the fuel and (5) decay of capture products.
How do you detect gamma rays?
Gamma rays are detected by observing the effects they have on matter. A gamma ray can collide with an electron and bounce off it like a billiard ball (Compton scatter) or it can push an electron to a higher energy level (photoelectric ionization).
What can stop gamma rays?
Gamma rays have so much penetrating power that several inches of a dense material like lead, or even a few feet of concrete may be required to stop them.
What are the 4 types of radiation?
There are four major types of radiation: alpha, beta, neutrons, and electromagnetic waves such as gamma rays. They differ in mass, energy and how deeply they penetrate people and objects. The first is an alpha particle.