Neutron temperature

<p>The neutron detection temperature, also called the neutron energy, indicates a <a href="/facts/Free_neutron/oRCM1geb">free neutron</a>'s <a href="/facts/Kinetic_energy/aJRxUd4p">kinetic energy</a>, usually given in <a href="/facts/Electron_volt/YMT1fqX9">electron volts</a>. The term <i>temperature</i> is used, since hot, thermal and cold neutrons are <a href="/facts/Neutron_moderator/1qa6YvDD">moderated</a> in a medium with a certain temperature. The neutron energy distribution is then adapted to the <a href="/facts/Maxwell%E2%80%93Boltzmann_distribution/KAuVfdKJ">Maxwell distribution</a> known for thermal motion. Qualitatively, the higher the temperature, the higher the kinetic energy of the free neutrons. The <a href="/facts/Momentum/TTkGv5eY">momentum</a> and <a href="/facts/Wavelength/kcJU0ymz">wavelength</a> of the neutron are related through the <a href="/facts/De_Broglie_relation/Rpszb8f1">de Broglie relation</a>. The long wavelength of slow neutrons allows for the large cross section.
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Neutron temperature