# Will a free neutron radiate if it is decelerated?

In this answer it is said (and I fully agree):

Yes, a ... photon can accelerate a lone neutron. The kinetic energy imparted to the neutron reduces the photon's wavelength (redshifts it) by the same amount, so the total energy of the system remains the same.

In turn, the opposite process has to be possible too. Neutrons are able to radiate. This usually is said only for charged particles.

Electromagnetic waves are emitted by electrically charged particles undergoing acceleration, and these waves can subsequently interact with other charged particles Electromagnetic radiation

Will a free neutron radiate if it is decelerated?

• link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00892879 – G. Smith Jul 2 at 22:09
• Note that the neutron consists of three charged particles, one up and two down quarks. – infinitezero Jul 3 at 9:45
• @infinitezero This note often appears, but is not necessary. My question aimed at the fact that not only charged particles radiate. – HolgerFiedler Jul 3 at 9:54
• I think that is a matter of perspective. The net charge of a neutron is zero, but its inner structure leads to the radiation. – infinitezero Jul 3 at 10:00

The neutron is magnetic. It is a tiny little magnet. In more formal language, it carries a magnetic dipole moment of size $$\mu_n = −9.6623647(23) \times 10^{−27} {\rm J\,T}^{−1}.$$ This is what allows it to interact with electromagnetic waves---or, to say the same thing another way, with photons. This also means that when accelerated then yes, it will generate electromagnetic radiation. This effect is much smaller that the radiation of a charged particle with the same acceleration.