The neutrons from the disintegration of fluorine by deuterons

Abstract

The emission of neutrons from a target of calcium fluoride when bombarded by 3 MeV deuterons was first reported by Lawrence and Livingston (1934). Early unpublished experiments to determine the distribution in energy of the neutrons from this reaction were made by Bonner and Brubaker in 1935 and later by Stephens and Djanab in 1937, but due to the small yield of neutrons obtained from the reaction, these experiments were not completed. The present experiment was begun because it seemed feasible to measure the energy of the neutrons from this reaction with the high voltage apparatus of the Cavendish Laboratory. A larger yield of neutrons was expected due to the large currents of high-speed deuterons which were available.