This process proves to be very interesting as it releases very little heat. The target is considered to be cold and thus requires less radiation protection.

Neutron capture can occur in all reactors that generate some kind of neutron flux, such as the JHR Material Test Reactor , but it does not allow for high yields.

Example: stable ¹⁷⁶Lu is an element that can absorb neutrons to become radioactive ¹⁷⁷Lu, releasing gamma and beta rays. This therefore makes it a potential radioisotope for use in medicine.