On the slowing down of neutrons in an homogeneous infinite medium

Abstract

The object of the present paper is the study of the neutrons slowing down in an infinite homogeneous medium. The study is based on the discussion of the integral and differential equations obeyed by a characteristic differential quantity, i.e., the average number of collisions a neutron experiences in an infinitesimal interval of lethargy. The discussion is divided into three sections. The slowing down without capture is treated in Section I, where both the basic equations and the fundamental questions connected with the problem are discussed. The effects of constant capture are considered in Section II, where the moderating properties of different media will be compared. In Section III the slowing down with varying capture and in particular the case of 1/ v-capture is treated.