Contact Details

Dr. C. Murray Bartle
Wellington, New Zealand

Links

• Murray Bartle on LinkedIn
• Murray Bartle on Researchgate
• Pureweb Web Design

C. Murray Bartle PhD

PhD in Physics

Murray Bartle has expertise in general physics - research and teaching


For more details refer to 'Links'



2025 -- A poster presentation was given at the 20th Conference of the New Zealand Institute of Physics, incorporating Physikos - the Physics Teachers Conference, 1-3 July 2025. The venue was Auckland University, Auckland, New Zealand. -Measuring 6Li(n,4He)3H Reaction Cross-Sections in the 1970s for Todays Requirements-: This poster outlines the author and co-workers 1970s measurements of cross sections for the 6Li(n,3H)4He reaction (reaction: 6Li + neutron (transforming to) 3H + 4He). Most fusion power reactor concepts are based on the 2H(3H,n)4He (deuterium-tritium fusion) reaction and call-on the 6Li(n,3H)4He reaction as a source of tritium (3H). In 1971-74, 6Li(n,3H)4He cross sections were measured in the 2 to 10 MeV (million electron volts) energy range using the University of Wisconsin (Madison, USA) EN Tandem Van de Graaff accelerator. A neutron beam generated from the 2H(2H,n)3He reaction was utilized. Briefly, deuterons (ionized deuterium) bombarded a deuterated polyethylene foil. In the associated particle technique (APT) method, detected 3He ions identified associated neutrons in a neutron beam (via reaction kinematics) which was encompassed with a 6Lithium Iodide scintillator detector/target. The APT provided precise timing between the neutrons and 3He ions giving accurate neutron counting (absolute neutron flux measurement) and a low background count-rate. Results were presented March 3-7, 1975, at the Conference on Nuclear Cross Sections and Technology at Washington D.C. USA and published in the literature. Later in the 1975-77 period, the author and co-workers at the Australian National University (ANU), made measurements at higher neutron energies in the 12 to 18 MeV range. Higher neutron energies were achievable because the EN Tandem accelerator at ANU could be injected with a deuteron beam from a cyclotron. In summary, research work at two laboratories during 1971-1977, provided accurate 6Li(n,3H)4He cross sections that have contributed to evaluated nuclear data files (ENDFs) and fusion reactor fuel predictions. For example, the data contributes to the 2024 ENDF/B-VIII.1 files (Brookhaven National Lab., USA). Also supports 2017 theoretical calculations by the Chinese Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), Beijing.


2024 -- Participated in the Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference, 'Orchestrating a disability inclusive workplace culture', 6-7 August, Rotorua, New Zealand.


2023 -- A poster presentation was given at the 19th Conference of the New Zealand Institute of Physics, incorporating Physikos - the Physics Teachers Conference, 3-5 July 2023. The venue was Massey University Albany Campus Auckland, New Zealand. In 2024 the Koeberg nuclear power station supplying Cape Town and the Western Cape, South Africa, will have been operating 40 Years. The State Utility, Eskom, plans to extend its operation for another 20 years (note added 24/7/24: Unit 1 reached 40 years of operation on 21 July 2024 and operation was recently extended until 21 July 2044). I was lecturing in physics at the University of Cape Town (UCT) when the power station was being constructed and this poster is about the public debate in the Cape Town newspapers, in the UCT Summer School ('Why Koeberg?') and in the UCT Science Students' Council Symposium on nuclear power, in which I participated, during this construction phase. This poster presents newspaper reporting examples arising from this publicity. It encourages young scientists to participate in public discussions. Details of the conference programme, presentation abstracts and speaker bios can be found on link NZIP2023.


2021 -- A poster presentation was given at the 18th Conference of the New Zealand Institute of Physics, incorporating Physikos - the Physics Teachers Conference, 12-14 July 2021. The venue was Queen Margaret College, Wellington, New Zealand. Details of the conference programme, presentation abstracts and speaker bios can be found on link NZIP2021. The poster title is 'Creating Fat-Measuring Dual Radiation Beam Scanners for Meat Processing; NZ-led Research Collaborations (1986-2010) to Inspire Young Scientists.'


2019 -- An oral presentation was given at the 17th Conference of the New Zealand Institute of Physics, incorporating Physikos - the Physics Teachers Conference, 15-17 April 2019. The venue was University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Presentation title 'Transmission of radiation from a Cf252 source to assess material composition',

2019 presentation information