An investigation of the disintegration of boron by slow neutrons

Abstract

The disintegration of boron by slow neutrons has been investigated using an ionization chamber filled with boron trichloride in conjunction with a linear amplifier. The magnitudes of the ionization impulses, measured by the oscillograph deflexions, should give under appropriate conditions a measure of the energy release in the disintegration process. The various factors which can affect the size of the oscillograph deflexion are discussed so as to define the appropriate conditions of experiment. Evidence is found for two disintegration energies. Assuming that the greater energy release corresponds to the formation of the Li⁷ nucleus in the ground state and is therefore 2.99 MeV, then the smaller energy, which is released in about 93- 94% of the disintegrations, is 2.57 + 0.05 MeV. An explanation is offered of the contradiction with the results of Maurer and Fisk. The γ-radiation associated with the reaction has been detected and a rough measurement of its quantum energy has been made.