Neutron capture processes in fission reactors

The neutron radiative capture process plays an important role in many aspects of nuclear power reactors and the associated fuel cycles. Presently operating thermal reactors burn fissile nuclei (/sup 235/U, /sup 239/Pu, and /sup 233/U) with the main objective of electrical power generation. However, the major thrust of the current reactor research programs is oriented toward fast breeder reactors which will not only produce electrical power but also convert, by neutron capture, abundant /sup 238/U to fissile fuel /sup 239/Pu (or /sup 232/Th to /sup 233/U) which can be used in turn for further breeding or as fuel for thermal reactors in order to replace less abundant /sup 235/U. The power production and the maintenance of the fission chain reaction in a reactor is based on the fission process, e.g. for /sup 235/U