alpha-particle welding
Quick Summary
Alpha-particle welding is a technique that utilizes alpha particles, which are positively charged particles identical to helium-4 nuclei, to join materials. This process involves depositing a thin layer of a boron or lithium compound between the materials to be joined. When this interface is irradiated with neutrons, a nuclear reaction occurs, producing high-energy alpha particles. These alpha particles then weld the materials together. This method was invented by Soviet chemist V.I. Goldansky. Alpha particles themselves are emitted by radioactive substances and consist of two protons and two neutrons.12
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