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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.
W. Hage, D. M. Cifarelli
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 89 | Number 2 | February 1985 | Pages 159-176
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE85-8
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A mathematical model is derived for the probability distribution of neutron signal multiples inside randomly and signal triggered time intervals for a generalized time response function of the neutron detector assembly. The theory is applied to assemblies with an exponential time decay of its neutron population. The probability distributions, their factorial moments, and moments are expressed as a function of the spontaneous fission rate, (α-n) reaction rate, neutron detection probability, probability that a neutron generates a fast fission, and nuclear data. Measurements with a plutonium sample are analyzed to check the derived algorithms for the factorial moments of the two probability distributions.
