Richard Hester's nice post brought up the thought of neutron spectroscopy. As noted, protons are charged particles and getting a spectral reading on there energy levels is rather easy compared to neutrons which have no real direct interaction with detection systems. The normal method of neutron spectroscopy involes TOF (time of flight) measurements and the attendant, multiple detectors, coincidence/anit-coincidence circuitry and timing nightmares. Also, neutron spectrometers demand a physically very large setup. (Some TOF fast neutron spectrometers cover hundreds of square feet of lab space!) Ideally, TOF measurments involve nice, dense neutron fluxes as well. The simple fusor hardly qualifies.
I just thought those of you who thought neutron energy data was easy to obtain might appreciate the above discussion
So...........it is unlikely that I will be doing much in the way of neutron spectroscopy in the near future. It is also why the current run on proton measurement is so popular with the IECF crowd working almost out of pocket or with shoestring budgets.
Proton measurments have their own hassles, but the hassles involve interesting and low cost solutions borne of the fertile and inventive mind with little money to spend.
Richard Hull
Created on Friday, January 05, 2001 12:37 PM EDT by Richard Hull