Glossary

A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z

Click on the alphabetic index to display terms beginning with the corresponding letter or search for a term below.

Decay

Disintegration of atomic nuclei resulting in the emission of alpha or beta particles (usually with gamma radiation). Also the exponential decrease in radioactivity of a material as nuclear disintegrations take place and more stable nuclei are formed.

Decommissioning

Removal of a facility (eg reactor) from service, also the subsequent actions of safe storage, dismantling and making the site available for unrestricted use.

Deconversion

The chemical process of turning UF6 into uranium oxide. Typically depleted UF6 may be processed for long-term storage in a more stable chemical form. HF is a by-product.

Delayed neutrons

neutrons released by fission products up to several seconds after fission. These enable control of the fission in a nuclear reactor.

Depleted uranium

Uranium having less than the natural 0.7% U-235. As a by-product of enrichment in the fuel cycle it generally has 0.25-0.30% U-235, the rest being U-238. Can be blended with highly-enriched uranium (eg from weapons) to make reactor fuel.

Deuterium

"Heavy hydrogen", a stable isotope having one proton and one neutron in the nucleus. It occurs in nature as 1 atom to 6500 atoms of normal hydrogen, (Hydrogen atoms contain one proton and no neutrons).

Disintegration

natural change in the nucleus of a radioactive isotope as particles are emitted (usually with gamma rays), making it a different element.

Dose

The energy absorbed by tissue from ionising radiation. One gray is one joule per kg, but this is adjusted for the effect of different kinds of radiation, and thus the sievert is the unit of dose equivalent used in setting exposure standards.

Glossary A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z Click on the alphabetic index to display terms beginning with the corresponding letter or search for a term below. Decay Disintegration of atomic nuclei resulting in the emission of alpha or beta particles (usually with gamma radiation). Also the exponential decrease in radioactivity of a material as nuclear disintegrations take place and more stable nuclei are formed. Decommissioning Removal of a facility (eg reactor) from service, also the subsequent actions of safe storage, dismantling and making the site available for unrestricted use. Deconversion The chemical process of turning UF6 into uranium oxide. Typically depleted UF6 may be processed for long-term storage in a more stable chemical form. HF is a by-product. Delayed neutrons neutrons released by fission products up to several seconds after fission. These enable control of the fission in a nuclear reactor. Depleted uranium Uranium having less than the natural 0.7% U-235. As a by-product of enrichment in the fuel cycle it generally has 0.25-0.30% U-235, the rest being U-238. Can be blended with highly-enriched uranium (eg from weapons) to make reactor fuel. Deuterium "Heavy hydrogen", a stable isotope having one proton and one neutron in the nucleus. It occurs in nature as 1 atom to 6500 atoms of normal hydrogen, (Hydrogen atoms contain one proton and no neutrons). Disintegration natural change in the nucleus of a radioactive isotope as particles are emitted (usually with gamma rays), making it a different element. Dose The energy absorbed by tissue from ionising radiation. One gray is one joule per kg, but this is adjusted for the effect of different kinds of radiation, and thus the sievert is the unit of dose equivalent used in setting exposure standards.
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