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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
K. J. Yost
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 32 | Number 1 | April 1968 | Pages 62-75
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE68-A18825
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A model suitable for the prediction of gamma-ray spectra subsequent to the capture of neutrons into nuclear states of identifiable spin and parity has been developed. The dependence of radiative transition probabilities on the nuclear selection rules is explicitly accounted for. Means are provided for allowing dipole and quadrupole transitions in conjunction with variations in the magnitudes of corresponding transition “matrix elements.” Comparisons are given between experimental capture spectra and corresponding spectra calculated with varying assumptions with respect to pertinent nuclear parameters for two capture states of 28Al and one of 25Mg. A comparison of calculated spectra using fitted and crudely approximated cascade parameters for the 28Al capture states indicates few, if any, differences that would significantly change resultant neutron-capture gamma-ray-production cross sections.