The photodisintegration of neon and oxygen

The introductory chapter contains a summary of the results of experiments on photonuclear reactions in light nuclei; a critical review of experimental techniques used in such investigations; a review of theories of photonuclear processes; and a discussion of selection rules based on the concept of charge independence of nuclear forces, and their influence on photonuclear reactions. In Chapter II the experimental technique used by the author is described, special mention being given to certain improvements introduced by the author to the system of operation of the cloud chamber. The development of an analysis technique, which was used in the experiments described in the later chapters, is discussed. The author's contributions to this process were experimental, rather than theoretical. The system was originally designed by Messrs. I.F. Wright and D.R.O. Morrison, and is based on microscope measurements made on the film negatives. Chapter III contains an account of an experiment on the photodisintegration of neon. New results are presented for the (gamma, h), (gamma, alpha), (gamma, alphaalpha) and (gamma, alphah) reactions, only the second of which had previously been studied, and that at only a few photon energies. The author assisted Mr. D.R.O. Morrison in the experimental work, and early analysis; he was responsible for the later analysis, of the events of the (gamma, h) reaction and certain of the (gamma, alphaalpha) and (gamma, alphah) events, in which he was assisted by Mrs. M.B. Lambie and, later, Mr. I. M. H. Preston, The interpretation of the results has inevitably been influenced by frequent discussions with the other members of the group, but the presentation is as original as possible. Chapter IV describes an experiment on the photodisintegration of oxygen