An on-line TDC-312 computer-controlled neutron diffractometer

The design and fabrication of an indigenous on-line computer controlled four-circle neutron diffractometer at the CIRUS reactor in Trombay are described. The diffractometer has an 18 in dia full-circle crystal-orienter which is sturdy enough to carry a cryostat. Three crystal orientation angles χ, φ and ω and the detector angle 2θ can be set to an accuracy of 0·01°. The four angle shafts are driven through precision worm-gears by SCR-controlled DC motors and their instantaneous positions sensed by optical digitizers. The diffractometer is interfaced to an ECIL TDC-312 computer system consisting of the CPU with 4K-memory, ASR-35 teletype, X-Y plotter and the digital input/output system (DIOS). The DIOS which operates under program control is a real-time peripheral device used to exchange information in digital form between the computer and the diffractometer. A software package consisting of over 40 useroriented teletype commands has been developed for on-line control and automatic data-acquisition.