ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2025
Nuclear Technology
August 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
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.
S. M. Grimes, C. E. Brient, F. B. Bateman, M. B. Chadwick, R. C. Haight, T. M. Lee‚ S. M. Sterbenz, P. G. Young F. C. Goeckner, O. A. Wasson, H. Vonach
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 124 | Number 2 | October 1996 | Pages 271-279
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE96-A28577
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Alpha-particle production cross sections and spectra produced by neutron bombardment of 59Co are measured at 30, 60, 90, and 135 deg over the neutron energy range from 5 to 50 MeV. A source of neutrons continuous in energy is provided by the Los Alamos Weapons Nuclear Research Facility spallation neutron source facility. Comparison of the measurements with results of calculations including sequential reaction Hauser-Feshbach calculations and pre-equilibrium processes indicates that the majority of the alpha particles result from compound nuclear reactions. The degree of agreement of calculation with experimental data for the cross section as a function of neutron energy and on the alpha-particle emission spectra depends on the selection of nuclear level densities and optical model parameters.