Chapter 11. Glossary

A Glossary provides a list of terms in a subject with their definitions. The following is a list of terms and definitions commonly used by NCNR's scientists.

Neutron - in physics, the neutron is a subatomic particle with no net electric charge and a mass slightly larger than a proton.

Proton - is a subatomic particle with an electric charge.

Polarizer - is a device that converts an unpolarized or mixed-polarization beam of electromagnetic waves (e.g., light) into a beam with a single polarization state (usually, a single linear polarization).

Energy - in physics and other sciences, energy is a scalar physical quantity that is a property of objects and systems which is conserved by nature.

Nuclear Fission - is the splitting of the nucleus of an atom into parts (lighter nuclei) often producing photons (in the form of gamma rays), free neutrons and other subatomic particles as by-products.

Nuclear Fusion - is the process by which multiple atomic particles join together to form a heavier nucleus.