On the Figure of Merit in Neutron Time-of-Flight Measurements

We address the task of evaluating the basic performances of neutron time-of-flight spectrometers, by means of an appropriate figure of merit. Calculations of neutron flux, energy resolution, and figure of merit are presented with a critical discussion on their definitions. The results of Monte Carlo simulations for two presently operating facilities, CERN n_TOF and GELINA, are commented and compared.