Il Saggiatore wrote:Neutrons can be produced through nuclear reactions.
You could accelerate the original nucleus (as part of an ionized atom), and let conservation of momentum do the rest when the neutron "splits".
That won't work because the proton will carry its own momentum and the fission will cause deflection.
However, neutrons are most effectively captured by other nuclei (which is what we want, because that's how they can affect material), when they are not to fast (basically, if they are too fast, there is not enough time for the nucleus to capture them).
Capture is not the goal. Energy transfer is.
Unless you want to use neutrons as simple projectiles, but I don't think that would be very effective, since you would need to hit the nucleus, which has a small cross-section compared to the atom.
Actually, the reaction cross-section of neutrons and atoms is fairly high, and neutron radiation has a well-known heating effect. Nuclear fusion bombs release a considerable fraction of their output as neutron radiation.
You would need a high-density beam of neutrons at high speeds.
That is true of
any particle weapon.
Personally, I would go for high-energy alpha-particles.
Easily deflected by magnetic fields and prone to beam-spreading effects due to mutual electromagnetic repulsion. The problem with neutron cannons is finding a way to actually manipulate the neutrons as stated earlier (I mentioned them only because any sci-fi civilization with artificial gravity should be able to do it).
) electron -method doesn't work, if my brain serves me well. So how is it done?
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