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Activation

(Science: radiobiology) activation occurs when a particle interacts with an atomic nucleus, shifting the nucleus into an unstable state, and causing it to become radioactive.

in fusion research, where deuterium-tritium is a common fuel mixture, the neutron released when (D _ T) combine to form (4He _ n) can activate the reactor structure. In this case the 4He is inert, the neutron sticks to another nucleus, and the neutron _ nucleus reaction creates an actvation product. Sometimes called radioactivation.

See: activation product, activation analysis.