Automatic data recording system for the neutron spectrometer on the MERLIN research reactor

Abstract

A neutron spectrometer has been built as an experimental facility on the MERLIN research reactor. The control system for this spectrometer provides for automatic operation following a predetermined programme, and was described in a previous issue of Nuclear Instruments and Methods. The automatic data recording system described here forms a sub-system in the spectrometer control system, but it could be used independently in any experimental application requiring recording of scaler readings. It accepts data from two types of scaler, together with switch-coded data, and produces a written record. Extensive use is made of semi-conductors in conjunction with conventional relay circuitry. A 500 c/s digit frequency is used, with decimal logic and storage using cold-cathode decade tubes. Certain simple arithmetical operations can be performed automatically on the data.