Electron Diffraction: Isolating Particles

[kooombaya]

Today in class we learned about electron diffraction and the wave-particle duality. Fascinating stuff (from what I understood) but I was wondering, how do scientists isolate the electrons to be used in the experiment? I know you can do neutron scattering as well, how would you isolate neutrons?? And protons??

For electrons I know you can use the free electrons not tightly bonded and form a potential to get them going.

 

[ZapperZ]

Today in class we learned about electron diffraction and the wave-particle duality. Fascinating stuff (from what I understood) but I was wondering, how do scientists isolate the electrons to be used in the experiment? I know you can do neutron scattering as well, how would you isolate neutrons?? And protons??

For electrons I know you can use the free electrons not tightly bonded and form a potential to get them going.

Most electron sources used for such studies come from "simple" electron gun that produces electrons via thermionic emission. This is identical to the ones used in cathode ray tubes, i.e. old TV sets.

Neutron sources are an entirely different beasts. Neutron scattering experiments are typically done at experimental nuclear reactors, or at spallation sources.

Zz.