1 Answers
In nuclear physics, separation energy is the energy needed to remove one nucleon from an atomic nucleus.
The separation energy is different for each nuclide and particle to be removed. Values are stated as "neutron separation energy", "two-neutron separation energy", "proton separation energy", "deuteron separation energy", "alpha separation energy", and so on.
The lowest separation energy among stable nuclides is 1.67 MeV, to remove a neutron from beryllium-9.
The energy can be added to the nucleus by an incident high-energy gamma ray. If the energy of the incident photon exceeds the separation energy, a photodisintegration might occur. Energy in excess of the threshold value becomes kinetic energy of the ejected particle.