Abstract
The photo-neutron thresholds of beryllium and deuterium have been measured by comparison with the threshold. For this purpose an electrostatic generator was used in which an electron beam and a positive ion beam were established simultaneously. Accurate control and measurement of the generator voltage was obtained by using an electrostatic analyzer on the component of the ion beam. Because the threshold lies between the and thresholds, errors in extrapolation should be small. The electron beam was accelerated from ground to the accurately known potential of the high voltage electrode where x-rays were produced for the photo-disintegration process. From the photo-neutron thresholds the neutron binding energies of beryllium and deuterium were found to be 1.666±0.002 and 2.226±0.003 Mev, respectively.
- Received 5 July 1950
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.80.309
©1950 American Physical Society