MEASUREMENT OF THE DIFFUSION LENGTH OF THERMAL NEUTRONS IN GRAPHITE

Abstract

The theory and method of measuring the diffusion length of thermal neutrons in graphite are discussed in detail. The graphite pile was a rectangular parallelepiped, 185.8 cm. square and 153.6 cm. high. The source was 1.2 gm. of radium mixed with beryllium. Part of the pile was used to slow down the neutrons to thermal velocities, and the density distribution of thermal neutrons was explored in the remainder of the pile with detectors of dysprosium oxide. The diffusion length of thermal neutrons in this graphite of average pile density 1.55 gm. per cc. was found to be 51 cm., with a probable error of 3 cm.