Reactors or other nuclear machines?

Please consider with me, if you will, the problem presented by Professor Diddle. Professor Diddle is, of course, a fictitious person; he is chairman of the physics department of the equally fictitious East Yaphank University. East Yaphank U at present has no nuclear machines, but the physics department wants to start some experimental nuclear physics, and Professor Diddle has appeared asking for advice as to what kind of a machine they should acquire. There seems to be no preconceived determining factor in the choice; that is, there is no betatron man on the staff and nobody who particularly wants a cyclotron or reactor. The feeling in the department is neutral.