present participle of prompt

(nuclear physics) Of the point where the prompt neutrons produced by a nuclear fission chain reaction are just sufficient to sustain the chain reaction on their own, past which changes in reaction power occur on a timeframe of milliseconds, too rapidly for a human operator to control.

plural of prompt neutron

plural of prompt criticality

(nuclear physics) A neutron produced immediately by the fission of an atomic nucleus, instead of being emitted by decaying fission products seconds to minutes later; over 99% of all fission neutrons are prompt neutrons (the exact proportion depends on the nuclide undergoing fission).

(nuclear physics) The point at which the prompt neutrons produced by a nuclear fission chain reaction are just sufficient to sustain the chain reaction on their own (the state of being prompt critical); past this point, changes in reaction power are controlled by changes in the prompt neutron flux, and occur on a timeframe of milliseconds, too rapidly to be controlled by mechanical means.