beta-delayed neutron emission

Beta-delayed neutron emission is a rare type of beta-decay process where a nucleus, after undergoing beta decay, emits a neutron. This occurs when the beta decay leads to a highly excited state of the daughter nucleus, which then rapidly releases a neutron.1

This phenomenon is particularly important in nuclear fission reactors, as the delayed neutrons emitted contribute to the control and stability of the chain reaction, allowing for a responsive control system. While beta decay generally involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton (or vice versa) with the emission of electrons or positrons and neutrinos, beta-delayed neutron emission is a specific, less common pathway within these processes.12345