The Information Bandwidth of Neutron Scattering Instruments

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Johnson, M.W.

Affiliations: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OQ11 0QX, UK

Abstract: The concept of the information content of a scientific measurement is introduced, and a theory is presented which enables the information that may be obtained by a neutron scattering instrument to be calculated. When combined with the time taken to perform the measurement the bandwidth of the instrument is obtained. This bandwidth is effectively a figure of merit which is of use in three respects: in the design of neutron instrumentation, the optimisation of measurements, and in the comparison of one instrument with another.

DOI: 10.1080/10238169608200061

Journal: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 4, no. 1-4, pp. 1-8, 1996