Energy-Distribution Function for Hot Atoms Produced by Nuclear Transformations

Abstract
The energy‐distribution function for hot atoms produced by nuclear transformations is examined in terms of the fraction of the initial hot‐atom energy. Energy dependent and independent asymmetric scattering is specifically considered. For gaseous tritium generated by the 3He(n, p) process, the asymptotic solution probably can serve as a reasonable approximation of the distribution function in the energy range 2–20 eV. For hot atoms produced with an initial distribution of energies, such as 79Br(n, γ)‐produced 80Br, the asymptotic solution will be less valid than for tritium, but may still be a valid approximation.