I was going over all the neutron detection related posts on the old forum and came upon Daniele's post reguarding the Ludlum 12-4 neutron detector and counter, built around a BF3 detector.
http://www.ludlums.com/product/m12-4.htm
It runs ~$2.0K, which is very steep! They also have a model 15 detector which detects Alpha, Beta, and Gamma radiation for ~$1.5K. (like Joe Zambelli's counter). Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to roll one of these things out on my Visa card, but especially if the "cheaper" model can do the job of counting neutrons it certainly eliminates a lot of hassles.
I assume that the thing comes with a users manual, warranty, and calibrated.
Short of finding a working Eberline PNC-1 on E-bay for $51.00 (a once per millenium event), what does anyone think of these counters?
Ludlum Neutron counter
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Richard Hull
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Re: Ludlum Neutron counter
The rem ball detector is best. I also have an Eberline rem ball unit as well (in a photo on my website's fusion page).
These work just fine, but are indeed pricey.
Do you know for a fact that their alpha-beta-gamma unit will detect neutrons?
Joe Zambelli's unit was a homemade scintilliation unit which used a common plastic scintillator. It would only count gamma, mainly, but also detected proton recoils within the scintillator. His unit as constructed would not detect alpha or beta particles normally encounterd.
I would recommend against there 1.5K$ unit without knowning more about the detection particulars.
As for the scaling, I typically prefer to hook a counter up to the headphone jack and count pulses that way on a digital counter and time the run. This gives a very accurate record of the CPM over a clearly defined period of time. The meter in events or CPM is just a nice visual item to have for instant checks on performance.
Richard Hull
These work just fine, but are indeed pricey.
Do you know for a fact that their alpha-beta-gamma unit will detect neutrons?
Joe Zambelli's unit was a homemade scintilliation unit which used a common plastic scintillator. It would only count gamma, mainly, but also detected proton recoils within the scintillator. His unit as constructed would not detect alpha or beta particles normally encounterd.
I would recommend against there 1.5K$ unit without knowning more about the detection particulars.
As for the scaling, I typically prefer to hook a counter up to the headphone jack and count pulses that way on a digital counter and time the run. This gives a very accurate record of the CPM over a clearly defined period of time. The meter in events or CPM is just a nice visual item to have for instant checks on performance.
Richard Hull
Progress may have been a good thing once, but it just went on too long. - Yogi Berra
Fusion is the energy of the future....and it always will be
Retired now...Doing only what I want and not what I should...every day is a saturday.
Fusion is the energy of the future....and it always will be
Retired now...Doing only what I want and not what I should...every day is a saturday.
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guest
Re: Ludlum Neutron counter
Ludlums also have a model 42-30, part# 47-1584 neutron detector. Price is $1425.00. Take a look
http://www.ludlums.com/product/m42-30.htm
I'm still pretty new at this Fusor stuff so I'll leave it to Richard Hull to pass judgement on this item.
http://www.ludlums.com/product/m42-30.htm
I'm still pretty new at this Fusor stuff so I'll leave it to Richard Hull to pass judgement on this item.