Talk-Polywell.org

The prototype laboratory device is based on a process first observed by the research team: the emission of light from hydrogen atoms produced when neutrons are absorbed by helium-3 atoms (3He). Lyman-alpha light, discovered by Harvard physicist Theodore Lyman in 1906, results from the jump between the two lowest-energy states of the hydrogen atom. Although it is the brightest light emitted by the sun and is one of the most abundant forms of light in the universe, Lyman alpha is invisible to the eye because it lies in the far ultraviolet region of the optical spectrum. It is strongly absorbed by most substances and can travel through only about one millimeter of air.

Helium gas, however, does not absorb Lyman-alpha light. When a neutron is absorbed by a helium-3 atom, one atom of hydrogen and one atom of tritium (a heavy form of hydrogen) are produced. These atoms fly apart at high speeds, can be excited by collisions with surrounding helium gas, and subsequently emit Lyman-alpha light. This light is recorded by the new device, known as the Lyman-alpha neutron detector (LAND).

Mike Holmes wrote:If the technology here pans out to be a better neutron detector, will this help with Polywell investigation? With other fusion power projects? What is the current state of the art, the Langmuir probes I've heard of?

Mike