I feel sorry for the newbs looking for neutron detection who might never have the joy of obtaining the premier detector of neutrons. (3He tube)
Fortunately, there are two other really suitable "low flux" detectors available. The now ancient and venerable BF3 tube is still a very good option. These are sometimes seen for sale surplus. I would rank the BF3 the second most ideal detector for the amateur fusioneer.
There is now a rather tremendous resurgence in the use of another very old favorite and that is the B10 lined proportional counter. Homeland security is using massive tubes of this design as a stand-in for the lack of 3He tubes and they are doing OK. They just need to be rather large to approach 3He sensitivity levels. For a while, the old, surplus General Electric B10 lined tubes of the 50's and 60's were a drug on the e-bay neutron tube market.
The classic problem for the newb is low neutron production, at first, while struggling to enter the Neutron Club with data sound enough to be readily accepted upon oversight.
The fast neutron bubble detector has really been a boon to this effort as well, but its rather short useful life coupled with a high price tag and difficulty of obtaining without a large, bulk order has hampered its use a bit.
The upshot is either latch onto a bulk buy of the BTI bubble detectors or plan on working up or purchasing a B10 lined proportional counter or a BF3 based system.
Once you are in the club and your numbers climb, you might invest in a robust but lower efficiency PMT based scintillator system built around the BC720 or hornyak button, discussed very early on in these forums.
Richard Hull
Gettin' along in a post 3He world
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Richard Hull
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Gettin' along in a post 3He world
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
The more complex the idea put forward by the poor amateur, the more likely it will never see embodiment
Fusion is the energy of the future....and it always will be
The more complex the idea put forward by the poor amateur, the more likely it will never see embodiment
Re: Gettin' along in a post 3He world
Perhaps the members here who have 3 or more multiples of the 3 units you mention than they will ever use, would consider putting them on the amateur fusion market???
Re: Gettin' along in a post 3He world
I just found this Ludlam page regarding replacing Remball BF3 tubes with He3 tubes? Anyone happen to know the cost for these?
http://www.ludlums.com/index.php?option ... 32:support
http://www.ludlums.com/index.php?option ... 32:support