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Wigner effect
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<p>The Wigner effect (named for its discoverer, <a href="/facts/Eugene_Wigner/HvWgw4KX">Eugene Wigner</a>), also known as the discomposition effect or Wigner's disease, is the displacement of <a href="/facts/Atom/FoQ4kGN5">atoms</a> in a solid caused by <a href="/facts/Neutron_radiation/LVJhCcwL">neutron radiation</a>. </p><p>Any solid can display the Wigner effect. The effect is of most concern in <a href="/facts/Neutron_moderator/1qa6YvDD">neutron moderators</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Graphite/sSf3KMXr">graphite</a>, intended to reduce the speed of <a href="/facts/Neutron_temperature/UMKR4XgJ">fast neutrons</a>, thereby turning them into <a href="/facts/Neutron_temperature/UMKR4XgJ">thermal neutrons</a> capable of sustaining a nuclear chain reaction involving <a href="/facts/Uranium-235/pe0RznDM">uranium-235</a>. </p>