The Diversion rate is the amount of nuclear material which could be diverted in a given unit of time.

• An Abrupt Diversion consists of the amount diverted being 1 SQ or more of nuclear material in a short time (i.e., within a period that is less than the material balance period)
• A Protracted Diversion is when the diversion of 1 SQ or more occurs gradually over a material balance period, with only small amounts removed at any one time