Editing Americium (section)

===Neutron source===
The oxide of <sup>241</sup>Am pressed with [[beryllium]] is an efficient [[neutron source]]. Here americium acts as the alpha source, and beryllium produces neutrons owing to its large cross-section for the (α,n) nuclear reaction:

: <chem>^{241}_{95}Am -> ^{237}_{93}Np + ^{4}_{2}He + \gamma</chem>

: <chem>^{9}_{4}Be + ^{4}_{2}He -> ^{12}_{6}C + ^{1}_{0}n + \gamma</chem>

The most widespread use of <sup>241</sup>AmBe neutron sources is a [[neutron probe]] – a device used to measure the quantity of water present in soil, as well as moisture/density for quality control in highway construction. <sup>241</sup>Am neutron sources are also used in well logging applications, as well as in [[neutron radiography]], tomography and other radiochemical investigations.<ref name="Binder" />