A copy of all raw data and data files used in analysis must be left in the approriate sub-directory on the network, e.g. for group 3 in 1997, a spectrum in a file called al28g.dat would be placed in f:\gr397\al28g.dat Marks are allocated for data properly collected, and recorded in the lab notebook. This must be presented for signature, usually on the day of collection of data, or the next day.
Marks are allocated for the presentation by the student of a preliminary analysis of, and discussion of, the data (calibration, spectra and initial identification of features) within the specified time (usually one week after taking the data).
Read the comments in your partner(s) reports as well as your own. Often I do not repeat comments that are common to both (or all) reports.
PHY300W is a major course, so a high level is expected of the report, in terms of accurate presentation and critical analysis of the data.
Use a decent word processor. Pay attention to proper notation, eg. subscripting etc. Instead of aluminium-28 use the proper superscripted form, etc.
Use accepted scientific style. The report should be clear, complete and concise.
Always use a spell checker. The real world expects UCT graduates to produce written work of high quality.
Provide a scale diagram of apparatus, showing source detector distances, size of cylinder etc.
Provide a block diagram of the electronics used
All figures should be captioned.
Proper scales must be chosen for graphs, and all axes properly labelled, and units shown
Calibrate energy spectra properly.
Show the full Al-28 gamma spectrum, identifying features. Do this for a freshly irradiated cylinder, and also for a cylinder 30 mins or so after irradiation, to look for possible activity with a long half-lfe.
Show gated spectra, so that the position of the window in the spectrum can be seen.
Make a proper measurement of the background rate for both window settings. Record how long after irradiation this measurement is made.
Be aware of the illegality of using a linear least squares fit to the logarithm of the count rate
If you add data from two cylinders, explain why this can be done.
Describe you the counting interval was timed, and discuss systematic errors arising from this.
Include a proper treatment of systematic errors by excluding some early, and then some late points from the data set. Discuss the effect of a second component of activity with a long halflife.
Quote result with statistical and systemmetic error in a form like this
t_(1/2) = (135.3 +- 0.3_stat +- 0.2_stat) sec
Omission of chi^2/ndf parameter from the description of the fit.