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What is neutron flux and why is it important?

Neutron flux is defined as the number of neutrons passing through an area in a given time (neutrons per cm² per second).  It is a measure of the intensity of neutron radiation.  Neutron flux is very important in the applications of neutron radiation within research reactors such as OPAL.  For example, in the production of radioisotopes, which are used in cancer diagnosis and treatment, a sample is bombarded with neutrons to make it radioactive.  The time taken to make the sample radioactive is directly related to the number of neutrons that hit the sample.  So the higher the neutron flux on the sample, the quicker the process and the more effective and efficient it is.