احلام الحويطات
06-18-2012, 01:30 PM
Neutron scattering
Neutron scattering encompasses all scientific techniques whereby the deflection of neutron radiation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_radiation) is used as a scientific probe. Neutrons readily interact with atomic nuclei and magnetic fields from unpaired electrons, making a useful probe of both structure and magnetic order. Neutron Scattering falls into two basic categories, elastic and inelastic. Elastic scattering is when a neutron interacts with a nucleus or electronic magnetic field but does not leave it in an excited state, meaning the emitted neutron has the same energy as the injected neutron. Scattering processes that involve an energetic excitation or relaxation by the neutron are inelastic: the injected neutron’s energy is used or increased to create an excitation or by absorbing the excess energy from a relaxation, and consequently the emitted neutron’s energy is reduced or increased respectively.
For several good reasons, moderated neutrons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_temperature) provide an ideal tool for the study of almost all forms of condensed matter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter). Firstly, they are readily produced at a nuclear research reactor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_reactor) or a spallation source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spallation_source). Normally in such processes neutrons are however produced with much higher energies than are needed. Therefore moderators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_moderator) are generally used which slow the neutrons down and therefore produce wavelengths that are comparable to the atomic spacing in solids and liquids, and kinetic energies that are comparable to those of dynamic processes in materials. Moderators can be made from aluminium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium) and filled with liquid hydrogen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen) (for very long wavelength neutrons) or liquid methane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane) (for shorter wavelength neutrons). Fluxes of 107/s - 108/s are not atypical in most neutron sources from any given moderator.
The neutrons cause pronounced interference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_(wave_propagation)) and energy transfer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_transfer) effects in scattering experiments. Unlike an x-ray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray) photon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon) with a similar wavelength, which interacts with the electron cloud (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_cloud) surrounding the nucleus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_nucleus), neutrons interact with the nucleus itself. Because the neutron is an electrically neutral particle, it is deeply penetrating, and is therefore more able to probe the bulk material. Consequently, it enables the use of a wide range of sample environments that are difficult to use with synchrotron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron) x-ray sources. It also has the advantage that the cross sections for interaction do not increase with atomic number as they do with radiation from a synchrotron x-ray source. Thus neutrons can be used to analyse materials with low atomic numbers like proteins and surfactants. This can be done at synchrotron sources but very high intensities are needed which may cause the structures to change. Moreover, the nucleus provides a very short range, isotropic potential varying randomly from isotope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope) to isotope, making it possible to tune the nuclear scattering contrast to suit the experiment.
The neutron has an additional advantage over the x-ray photon in the study of condensed matter. It readily interacts with internal magnetic fields (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field) in the sample. In fact, the strength of the magnetic scattering signal is often very similar to that of the nuclear scattering signal in many materials, which allows the simultaneous exploration of both nuclear and magnetic structure. Because the neutron scattering amplitude can be measured in absolute units, both the structural and magnetic properties as measured by neutrons can be compared quantitatively with the results of other characterisation techniques
Neutron-12C elastic scattering at 96 MeV
Recent neutron elastic scattering differential cross section data for 12C at 96 MeV have been analysed within the framework of the Glauber model, suitably modified to enlarge the angular range of validity. The ground-state pair correlation correction has been considered. The effects of the medium-modified nucleon-nucleon (NN) total cross section and the phase variation of the NN scattering amplitude on the calculated cross sections have also been studied. The neutron differential cross sections have been calculated using the phenomenological target density. We find that our method of analysis gives a better de******ion of experimental data than those with the optical model potential.
Inelastic neutron scattering
Inelastic neutron scattering is an experimental technique commonly used in condensed matter research (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter_physics) to study atomic and molecular motion as well as magnetic and crystal field excitations. It distinguishes itself from other neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_scattering) techniques by resolving the change in kinetic energy that occurs when the collision between neutrons and the sample is an inelastic one. Results are generally communicated as the dynamic structure factor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_structure_factor) (also called inelastic scattering law) S(q,ω), sometimes also as the dynamic susceptibility (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dynamic_susceptibil ity&action=edit&redlink=1) χ(q,ω) where the scattering vector q is the difference between incoming and outgoing wave vector (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_vector), and file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gifis the energy change experienced by the sample (negative that of the scattered neutron). When results are plotted as function of ω, they can often be interpreted in the same way as spectra obtained by conventional spectroscopic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectroscopy) techniques; insofar as inelastic neutron scattering can be seen as a special spectroscopy.
file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inelastic-neutron-scattering-basics.png)
Generic layout of an inelastic neutron scattering experiment
Inelastic scattering experiments normally require a mono-chromatization of the incident or outgoing beam and an energy analysis of the scattered neutrons. This can be done either through time-of-flight techniques (neutron time-of-flight scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_time-of-flight_scattering)) or through Bragg reflection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bragg_reflection) from single crystals (neutron triple-axis spectroscopy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_triple-axis_spectroscopy), neutron backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_backscattering)). Mono-chromatization is not needed in echo techniques (neutron spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_spin_echo), neutron resonance spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neutron_resonance_s pin_echo&action=edit&redlink=1)), which use the quantum mechanical phase of the neutrons in addition to their amplitudes.
Types of Inelastic Neutron Scattering
1. Triple-axis spectrometry (TAS, T also resolved as "three", S also resolved as "spectroscopy") is a technique used in inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering). The instrument is referred to as triple-axis spectrometer (also called TAS). It allows measurement of the scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scattering) function at any point in energy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy) and momentum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum) space physically accessible by the spectrometer
2. Neutron backscattering is one of several inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) techniques. Backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscattering) from monochromator and analyzer crystals is used to achieve an energy resolution in the order of μeV. Neutron backscattering experiments are performed to study atomic or molecular motion on a nanosecond time scale>
3. Neutron spin echo spectroscopy is an inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) technique invented by Ferenc Mezei (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferenc_Mezei&action=edit&redlink=1) in the 1970’s .The spin-echo spectrometer possesses an extremely high energy resolution (roughly one part in 100,000). Additionally, it measures the density-density correlation (or intermediate scattering function (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_scattering_function)) F(Q,t) as a function of momentum transfer Q and time. Other neutron scattering techniques measure the dynamic structure factor S(Q,ω), which can be converted to F(Q,t) by a Fourier transform (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform), which may be difficult in practice. For weak inelastic features S(Q,ω) is better suited, however, for (slow) relaxations the natural representation is given by F(Q,t). Because of its extraordinary high effective energy resolution compared to other neutron scattering techniques, NSE is an ideal method to observe over damped internal dynamic modes (relaxations)and other diffusive processes in materials such as a polymer blends (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_blend), alkane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkane) chains, or microemulsions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microemulsion). The extraordinary power of NSE spectrometry was further demonstrated recently by the direct observation of coupled internal protein domain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_domain) dynamics in the proteins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein) NHERF1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHERF1) and Taq polymerase (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taq_polymerase), allowing the direct visualization of protein nano-machinery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_machine) in motion.Neutron scattering
Neutron scattering encompasses all scientific techniques whereby the deflection of neutron radiation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_radiation) is used as a scientific probe. Neutrons readily interact with atomic nuclei and magnetic fields from unpaired electrons, making a useful probe of both structure and magnetic order. Neutron Scattering falls into two basic categories, elastic and inelastic. Elastic scattering is when a neutron interacts with a nucleus or electronic magnetic field but does not leave it in an excited state, meaning the emitted neutron has the same energy as the injected neutron. Scattering processes that involve an energetic excitation or relaxation by the neutron are inelastic: the injected neutron’s energy is used or increased to create an excitation or by absorbing the excess energy from a relaxation, and consequently the emitted neutron’s energy is reduced or increased respectively.
For several good reasons, moderated neutrons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_temperature) provide an ideal tool for the study of almost all forms of condensed matter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter). Firstly, they are readily produced at a nuclear research reactor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_reactor) or a spallation source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spallation_source). Normally in such processes neutrons are however produced with much higher energies than are needed. Therefore moderators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_moderator) are generally used which slow the neutrons down and therefore produce wavelengths that are comparable to the atomic spacing in solids and liquids, and kinetic energies that are comparable to those of dynamic processes in materials. Moderators can be made from aluminium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium) and filled with liquid hydrogen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen) (for very long wavelength neutrons) or liquid methane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane) (for shorter wavelength neutrons). Fluxes of 107/s - 108/s are not atypical in most neutron sources from any given moderator.
The neutrons cause pronounced interference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_(wave_propagation)) and energy transfer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_transfer) effects in scattering experiments. Unlike an x-ray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray) photon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon) with a similar wavelength, which interacts with the electron cloud (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_cloud) surrounding the nucleus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_nucleus), neutrons interact with the nucleus itself. Because the neutron is an electrically neutral particle, it is deeply penetrating, and is therefore more able to probe the bulk material. Consequently, it enables the use of a wide range of sample environments that are difficult to use with synchrotron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron) x-ray sources. It also has the advantage that the cross sections for interaction do not increase with atomic number as they do with radiation from a synchrotron x-ray source. Thus neutrons can be used to analyse materials with low atomic numbers like proteins and surfactants. This can be done at synchrotron sources but very high intensities are needed which may cause the structures to change. Moreover, the nucleus provides a very short range, isotropic potential varying randomly from isotope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope) to isotope, making it possible to tune the nuclear scattering contrast to suit the experiment.
The neutron has an additional advantage over the x-ray photon in the study of condensed matter. It readily interacts with internal magnetic fields (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field) in the sample. In fact, the strength of the magnetic scattering signal is often very similar to that of the nuclear scattering signal in many materials, which allows the simultaneous exploration of both nuclear and magnetic structure. Because the neutron scattering amplitude can be measured in absolute units, both the structural and magnetic properties as measured by neutrons can be compared quantitatively with the results of other characterisation techniques
Neutron-12C elastic scattering at 96 MeV
Recent neutron elastic scattering differential cross section data for 12C at 96 MeV have been analysed within the framework of the Glauber model, suitably modified to enlarge the angular range of validity. The ground-state pair correlation correction has been considered. The effects of the medium-modified nucleon-nucleon (NN) total cross section and the phase variation of the NN scattering amplitude on the calculated cross sections have also been studied. The neutron differential cross sections have been calculated using the phenomenological target density. We find that our method of analysis gives a better de******ion of experimental data than those with the optical model potential.
Inelastic neutron scattering
Inelastic neutron scattering is an experimental technique commonly used in condensed matter research (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter_physics) to study atomic and molecular motion as well as magnetic and crystal field excitations. It distinguishes itself from other neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_scattering) techniques by resolving the change in kinetic energy that occurs when the collision between neutrons and the sample is an inelastic one. Results are generally communicated as the dynamic structure factor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_structure_factor) (also called inelastic scattering law) S(q,ω), sometimes also as the dynamic susceptibility (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dynamic_susceptibil ity&action=edit&redlink=1) χ(q,ω) where the scattering vector q is the difference between incoming and outgoing wave vector (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_vector), and file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gifis the energy change experienced by the sample (negative that of the scattered neutron). When results are plotted as function of ω, they can often be interpreted in the same way as spectra obtained by conventional spectroscopic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectroscopy) techniques; insofar as inelastic neutron scattering can be seen as a special spectroscopy.
file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inelastic-neutron-scattering-basics.png)
Generic layout of an inelastic neutron scattering experiment
Inelastic scattering experiments normally require a mono-chromatization of the incident or outgoing beam and an energy analysis of the scattered neutrons. This can be done either through time-of-flight techniques (neutron time-of-flight scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_time-of-flight_scattering)) or through Bragg reflection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bragg_reflection) from single crystals (neutron triple-axis spectroscopy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_triple-axis_spectroscopy), neutron backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_backscattering)). Mono-chromatization is not needed in echo techniques (neutron spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_spin_echo), neutron resonance spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neutron_resonance_s pin_echo&action=edit&redlink=1)), which use the quantum mechanical phase of the neutrons in addition to their amplitudes.
Types of Inelastic Neutron Scattering
1. Triple-axis spectrometry (TAS, T also resolved as "three", S also resolved as "spectroscopy") is a technique used in inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering). The instrument is referred to as triple-axis spectrometer (also called TAS). It allows measurement of the scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scattering) function at any point in energy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy) and momentum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum) space physically accessible by the spectrometer
2. Neutron backscattering is one of several inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) techniques. Backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscattering) from monochromator and analyzer crystals is used to achieve an energy resolution in the order of μeV. Neutron backscattering experiments are performed to study atomic or molecular motion on a nanosecond time scale>
3. Neutron spin echo spectroscopy is an inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) technique invented by Ferenc Mezei (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferenc_Mezei&action=edit&redlink=1) in the 1970’s .The spin-echo spectrometer possesses an extremely high energy resolution (roughly one part in 100,000). Additionally, it measures the density-density correlation (or intermediate scattering function (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_scattering_function)) F(Q,t) as a function of momentum transfer Q and time. Other neutron scattering techniques measure the dynamic structure factor S(Q,ω), which can be converted to F(Q,t) by a Fourier transform (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform), which may be difficult in practice. For weak inelastic features S(Q,ω) is better suited, however, for (slow) relaxations the natural representation is given by F(Q,t). Because of its extraordinary high effective energy resolution compared to other neutron scattering techniques, NSE is an ideal method to observe over damped internal dynamic modes (relaxations)and other diffusive processes in materials such as a polymer blends (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_blend), alkane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkane) chains, or microemulsions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microemulsion). The extraordinary power of NSE spectrometry was further demonstrated recently by the direct observation of coupled internal protein domain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_domain) dynamics in the proteins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein) NHERF1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHERF1) and Taq polymerase (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taq_polymerase), allowing the direct visualization of protein nano-machinery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_machine) in motion.Neutron scattering
Neutron scattering encompasses all scientific techniques whereby the deflection of neutron radiation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_radiation) is used as a scientific probe. Neutrons readily interact with atomic nuclei and magnetic fields from unpaired electrons, making a useful probe of both structure and magnetic order. Neutron Scattering falls into two basic categories, elastic and inelastic. Elastic scattering is when a neutron interacts with a nucleus or electronic magnetic field but does not leave it in an excited state, meaning the emitted neutron has the same energy as the injected neutron. Scattering processes that involve an energetic excitation or relaxation by the neutron are inelastic: the injected neutron’s energy is used or increased to create an excitation or by absorbing the excess energy from a relaxation, and consequently the emitted neutron’s energy is reduced or increased respectively.
For several good reasons, moderated neutrons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_temperature) provide an ideal tool for the study of almost all forms of condensed matter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter). Firstly, they are readily produced at a nuclear research reactor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_reactor) or a spallation source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spallation_source). Normally in such processes neutrons are however produced with much higher energies than are needed. Therefore moderators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_moderator) are generally used which slow the neutrons down and therefore produce wavelengths that are comparable to the atomic spacing in solids and liquids, and kinetic energies that are comparable to those of dynamic processes in materials. Moderators can be made from aluminium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium) and filled with liquid hydrogen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen) (for very long wavelength neutrons) or liquid methane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane) (for shorter wavelength neutrons). Fluxes of 107/s - 108/s are not atypical in most neutron sources from any given moderator.
The neutrons cause pronounced interference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_(wave_propagation)) and energy transfer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_transfer) effects in scattering experiments. Unlike an x-ray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray) photon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon) with a similar wavelength, which interacts with the electron cloud (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_cloud) surrounding the nucleus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_nucleus), neutrons interact with the nucleus itself. Because the neutron is an electrically neutral particle, it is deeply penetrating, and is therefore more able to probe the bulk material. Consequently, it enables the use of a wide range of sample environments that are difficult to use with synchrotron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron) x-ray sources. It also has the advantage that the cross sections for interaction do not increase with atomic number as they do with radiation from a synchrotron x-ray source. Thus neutrons can be used to analyse materials with low atomic numbers like proteins and surfactants. This can be done at synchrotron sources but very high intensities are needed which may cause the structures to change. Moreover, the nucleus provides a very short range, isotropic potential varying randomly from isotope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope) to isotope, making it possible to tune the nuclear scattering contrast to suit the experiment.
The neutron has an additional advantage over the x-ray photon in the study of condensed matter. It readily interacts with internal magnetic fields (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field) in the sample. In fact, the strength of the magnetic scattering signal is often very similar to that of the nuclear scattering signal in many materials, which allows the simultaneous exploration of both nuclear and magnetic structure. Because the neutron scattering amplitude can be measured in absolute units, both the structural and magnetic properties as measured by neutrons can be compared quantitatively with the results of other characterisation techniques
Neutron-12C elastic scattering at 96 MeV
Recent neutron elastic scattering differential cross section data for 12C at 96 MeV have been analysed within the framework of the Glauber model, suitably modified to enlarge the angular range of validity. The ground-state pair correlation correction has been considered. The effects of the medium-modified nucleon-nucleon (NN) total cross section and the phase variation of the NN scattering amplitude on the calculated cross sections have also been studied. The neutron differential cross sections have been calculated using the phenomenological target density. We find that our method of analysis gives a better de******ion of experimental data than those with the optical model potential.
Inelastic neutron scattering
Inelastic neutron scattering is an experimental technique commonly used in condensed matter research (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter_physics) to study atomic and molecular motion as well as magnetic and crystal field excitations. It distinguishes itself from other neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_scattering) techniques by resolving the change in kinetic energy that occurs when the collision between neutrons and the sample is an inelastic one. Results are generally communicated as the dynamic structure factor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_structure_factor) (also called inelastic scattering law) S(q,ω), sometimes also as the dynamic susceptibility (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dynamic_susceptibil ity&action=edit&redlink=1) χ(q,ω) where the scattering vector q is the difference between incoming and outgoing wave vector (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_vector), and file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gifis the energy change experienced by the sample (negative that of the scattered neutron). When results are plotted as function of ω, they can often be interpreted in the same way as spectra obtained by conventional spectroscopic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectroscopy) techniques; insofar as inelastic neutron scattering can be seen as a special spectroscopy.
file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inelastic-neutron-scattering-basics.png)
Generic layout of an inelastic neutron scattering experiment
Inelastic scattering experiments normally require a mono-chromatization of the incident or outgoing beam and an energy analysis of the scattered neutrons. This can be done either through time-of-flight techniques (neutron time-of-flight scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_time-of-flight_scattering)) or through Bragg reflection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bragg_reflection) from single crystals (neutron triple-axis spectroscopy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_triple-axis_spectroscopy), neutron backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_backscattering)). Mono-chromatization is not needed in echo techniques (neutron spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_spin_echo), neutron resonance spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neutron_resonance_s pin_echo&action=edit&redlink=1)), which use the quantum mechanical phase of the neutrons in addition to their amplitudes.
Types of Inelastic Neutron Scattering
1. Triple-axis spectrometry (TAS, T also resolved as "three", S also resolved as "spectroscopy") is a technique used in inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering). The instrument is referred to as triple-axis spectrometer (also called TAS). It allows measurement of the scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scattering) function at any point in energy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy) and momentum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum) space physically accessible by the spectrometer
2. Neutron backscattering is one of several inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) techniques. Backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscattering) from monochromator and analyzer crystals is used to achieve an energy resolution in the order of μeV. Neutron backscattering experiments are performed to study atomic or molecular motion on a nanosecond time scale>
3. Neutron spin echo spectroscopy is an inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) technique invented by Ferenc Mezei (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferenc_Mezei&action=edit&redlink=1) in the 1970’s .The spin-echo spectrometer possesses an extremely high energy resolution (roughly one part in 100,000). Additionally, it measures the density-density correlation (or intermediate scattering function (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_scattering_function)) F(Q,t) as a function of momentum transfer Q and time. Other neutron scattering techniques measure the dynamic structure factor S(Q,ω), which can be converted to F(Q,t) by a Fourier transform (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform), which may be difficult in practice. For weak inelastic features S(Q,ω) is better suited, however, for (slow) relaxations the natural representation is given by F(Q,t). Because of its extraordinary high effective energy resolution compared to other neutron scattering techniques, NSE is an ideal method to observe over damped internal dynamic modes (relaxations)and other diffusive processes in materials such as a polymer blends (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_blend), alkane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkane) chains, or microemulsions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microemulsion). The extraordinary power of NSE spectrometry was further demonstrated recently by the direct observation of coupled internal protein domain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_domain) dynamics in the proteins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein) NHERF1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHERF1) and Taq polymerase (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taq_polymerase), allowing the direct .visualization of protein nano-machinery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_machine) in motion.
Neutron scattering encompasses all scientific techniques whereby the deflection of neutron radiation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_radiation) is used as a scientific probe. Neutrons readily interact with atomic nuclei and magnetic fields from unpaired electrons, making a useful probe of both structure and magnetic order. Neutron Scattering falls into two basic categories, elastic and inelastic. Elastic scattering is when a neutron interacts with a nucleus or electronic magnetic field but does not leave it in an excited state, meaning the emitted neutron has the same energy as the injected neutron. Scattering processes that involve an energetic excitation or relaxation by the neutron are inelastic: the injected neutron’s energy is used or increased to create an excitation or by absorbing the excess energy from a relaxation, and consequently the emitted neutron’s energy is reduced or increased respectively.
For several good reasons, moderated neutrons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_temperature) provide an ideal tool for the study of almost all forms of condensed matter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter). Firstly, they are readily produced at a nuclear research reactor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_reactor) or a spallation source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spallation_source). Normally in such processes neutrons are however produced with much higher energies than are needed. Therefore moderators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_moderator) are generally used which slow the neutrons down and therefore produce wavelengths that are comparable to the atomic spacing in solids and liquids, and kinetic energies that are comparable to those of dynamic processes in materials. Moderators can be made from aluminium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium) and filled with liquid hydrogen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen) (for very long wavelength neutrons) or liquid methane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane) (for shorter wavelength neutrons). Fluxes of 107/s - 108/s are not atypical in most neutron sources from any given moderator.
The neutrons cause pronounced interference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_(wave_propagation)) and energy transfer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_transfer) effects in scattering experiments. Unlike an x-ray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray) photon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon) with a similar wavelength, which interacts with the electron cloud (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_cloud) surrounding the nucleus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_nucleus), neutrons interact with the nucleus itself. Because the neutron is an electrically neutral particle, it is deeply penetrating, and is therefore more able to probe the bulk material. Consequently, it enables the use of a wide range of sample environments that are difficult to use with synchrotron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron) x-ray sources. It also has the advantage that the cross sections for interaction do not increase with atomic number as they do with radiation from a synchrotron x-ray source. Thus neutrons can be used to analyse materials with low atomic numbers like proteins and surfactants. This can be done at synchrotron sources but very high intensities are needed which may cause the structures to change. Moreover, the nucleus provides a very short range, isotropic potential varying randomly from isotope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope) to isotope, making it possible to tune the nuclear scattering contrast to suit the experiment.
The neutron has an additional advantage over the x-ray photon in the study of condensed matter. It readily interacts with internal magnetic fields (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field) in the sample. In fact, the strength of the magnetic scattering signal is often very similar to that of the nuclear scattering signal in many materials, which allows the simultaneous exploration of both nuclear and magnetic structure. Because the neutron scattering amplitude can be measured in absolute units, both the structural and magnetic properties as measured by neutrons can be compared quantitatively with the results of other characterisation techniques
Neutron-12C elastic scattering at 96 MeV
Recent neutron elastic scattering differential cross section data for 12C at 96 MeV have been analysed within the framework of the Glauber model, suitably modified to enlarge the angular range of validity. The ground-state pair correlation correction has been considered. The effects of the medium-modified nucleon-nucleon (NN) total cross section and the phase variation of the NN scattering amplitude on the calculated cross sections have also been studied. The neutron differential cross sections have been calculated using the phenomenological target density. We find that our method of analysis gives a better de******ion of experimental data than those with the optical model potential.
Inelastic neutron scattering
Inelastic neutron scattering is an experimental technique commonly used in condensed matter research (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter_physics) to study atomic and molecular motion as well as magnetic and crystal field excitations. It distinguishes itself from other neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_scattering) techniques by resolving the change in kinetic energy that occurs when the collision between neutrons and the sample is an inelastic one. Results are generally communicated as the dynamic structure factor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_structure_factor) (also called inelastic scattering law) S(q,ω), sometimes also as the dynamic susceptibility (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dynamic_susceptibil ity&action=edit&redlink=1) χ(q,ω) where the scattering vector q is the difference between incoming and outgoing wave vector (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_vector), and file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gifis the energy change experienced by the sample (negative that of the scattered neutron). When results are plotted as function of ω, they can often be interpreted in the same way as spectra obtained by conventional spectroscopic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectroscopy) techniques; insofar as inelastic neutron scattering can be seen as a special spectroscopy.
file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inelastic-neutron-scattering-basics.png)
Generic layout of an inelastic neutron scattering experiment
Inelastic scattering experiments normally require a mono-chromatization of the incident or outgoing beam and an energy analysis of the scattered neutrons. This can be done either through time-of-flight techniques (neutron time-of-flight scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_time-of-flight_scattering)) or through Bragg reflection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bragg_reflection) from single crystals (neutron triple-axis spectroscopy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_triple-axis_spectroscopy), neutron backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_backscattering)). Mono-chromatization is not needed in echo techniques (neutron spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_spin_echo), neutron resonance spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neutron_resonance_s pin_echo&action=edit&redlink=1)), which use the quantum mechanical phase of the neutrons in addition to their amplitudes.
Types of Inelastic Neutron Scattering
1. Triple-axis spectrometry (TAS, T also resolved as "three", S also resolved as "spectroscopy") is a technique used in inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering). The instrument is referred to as triple-axis spectrometer (also called TAS). It allows measurement of the scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scattering) function at any point in energy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy) and momentum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum) space physically accessible by the spectrometer
2. Neutron backscattering is one of several inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) techniques. Backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscattering) from monochromator and analyzer crystals is used to achieve an energy resolution in the order of μeV. Neutron backscattering experiments are performed to study atomic or molecular motion on a nanosecond time scale>
3. Neutron spin echo spectroscopy is an inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) technique invented by Ferenc Mezei (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferenc_Mezei&action=edit&redlink=1) in the 1970’s .The spin-echo spectrometer possesses an extremely high energy resolution (roughly one part in 100,000). Additionally, it measures the density-density correlation (or intermediate scattering function (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_scattering_function)) F(Q,t) as a function of momentum transfer Q and time. Other neutron scattering techniques measure the dynamic structure factor S(Q,ω), which can be converted to F(Q,t) by a Fourier transform (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform), which may be difficult in practice. For weak inelastic features S(Q,ω) is better suited, however, for (slow) relaxations the natural representation is given by F(Q,t). Because of its extraordinary high effective energy resolution compared to other neutron scattering techniques, NSE is an ideal method to observe over damped internal dynamic modes (relaxations)and other diffusive processes in materials such as a polymer blends (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_blend), alkane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkane) chains, or microemulsions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microemulsion). The extraordinary power of NSE spectrometry was further demonstrated recently by the direct observation of coupled internal protein domain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_domain) dynamics in the proteins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein) NHERF1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHERF1) and Taq polymerase (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taq_polymerase), allowing the direct visualization of protein nano-machinery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_machine) in motion.Neutron scattering
Neutron scattering encompasses all scientific techniques whereby the deflection of neutron radiation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_radiation) is used as a scientific probe. Neutrons readily interact with atomic nuclei and magnetic fields from unpaired electrons, making a useful probe of both structure and magnetic order. Neutron Scattering falls into two basic categories, elastic and inelastic. Elastic scattering is when a neutron interacts with a nucleus or electronic magnetic field but does not leave it in an excited state, meaning the emitted neutron has the same energy as the injected neutron. Scattering processes that involve an energetic excitation or relaxation by the neutron are inelastic: the injected neutron’s energy is used or increased to create an excitation or by absorbing the excess energy from a relaxation, and consequently the emitted neutron’s energy is reduced or increased respectively.
For several good reasons, moderated neutrons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_temperature) provide an ideal tool for the study of almost all forms of condensed matter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter). Firstly, they are readily produced at a nuclear research reactor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_reactor) or a spallation source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spallation_source). Normally in such processes neutrons are however produced with much higher energies than are needed. Therefore moderators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_moderator) are generally used which slow the neutrons down and therefore produce wavelengths that are comparable to the atomic spacing in solids and liquids, and kinetic energies that are comparable to those of dynamic processes in materials. Moderators can be made from aluminium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium) and filled with liquid hydrogen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen) (for very long wavelength neutrons) or liquid methane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane) (for shorter wavelength neutrons). Fluxes of 107/s - 108/s are not atypical in most neutron sources from any given moderator.
The neutrons cause pronounced interference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_(wave_propagation)) and energy transfer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_transfer) effects in scattering experiments. Unlike an x-ray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray) photon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon) with a similar wavelength, which interacts with the electron cloud (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_cloud) surrounding the nucleus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_nucleus), neutrons interact with the nucleus itself. Because the neutron is an electrically neutral particle, it is deeply penetrating, and is therefore more able to probe the bulk material. Consequently, it enables the use of a wide range of sample environments that are difficult to use with synchrotron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron) x-ray sources. It also has the advantage that the cross sections for interaction do not increase with atomic number as they do with radiation from a synchrotron x-ray source. Thus neutrons can be used to analyse materials with low atomic numbers like proteins and surfactants. This can be done at synchrotron sources but very high intensities are needed which may cause the structures to change. Moreover, the nucleus provides a very short range, isotropic potential varying randomly from isotope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope) to isotope, making it possible to tune the nuclear scattering contrast to suit the experiment.
The neutron has an additional advantage over the x-ray photon in the study of condensed matter. It readily interacts with internal magnetic fields (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field) in the sample. In fact, the strength of the magnetic scattering signal is often very similar to that of the nuclear scattering signal in many materials, which allows the simultaneous exploration of both nuclear and magnetic structure. Because the neutron scattering amplitude can be measured in absolute units, both the structural and magnetic properties as measured by neutrons can be compared quantitatively with the results of other characterisation techniques
Neutron-12C elastic scattering at 96 MeV
Recent neutron elastic scattering differential cross section data for 12C at 96 MeV have been analysed within the framework of the Glauber model, suitably modified to enlarge the angular range of validity. The ground-state pair correlation correction has been considered. The effects of the medium-modified nucleon-nucleon (NN) total cross section and the phase variation of the NN scattering amplitude on the calculated cross sections have also been studied. The neutron differential cross sections have been calculated using the phenomenological target density. We find that our method of analysis gives a better de******ion of experimental data than those with the optical model potential.
Inelastic neutron scattering
Inelastic neutron scattering is an experimental technique commonly used in condensed matter research (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter_physics) to study atomic and molecular motion as well as magnetic and crystal field excitations. It distinguishes itself from other neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_scattering) techniques by resolving the change in kinetic energy that occurs when the collision between neutrons and the sample is an inelastic one. Results are generally communicated as the dynamic structure factor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_structure_factor) (also called inelastic scattering law) S(q,ω), sometimes also as the dynamic susceptibility (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dynamic_susceptibil ity&action=edit&redlink=1) χ(q,ω) where the scattering vector q is the difference between incoming and outgoing wave vector (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_vector), and file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gifis the energy change experienced by the sample (negative that of the scattered neutron). When results are plotted as function of ω, they can often be interpreted in the same way as spectra obtained by conventional spectroscopic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectroscopy) techniques; insofar as inelastic neutron scattering can be seen as a special spectroscopy.
file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inelastic-neutron-scattering-basics.png)
Generic layout of an inelastic neutron scattering experiment
Inelastic scattering experiments normally require a mono-chromatization of the incident or outgoing beam and an energy analysis of the scattered neutrons. This can be done either through time-of-flight techniques (neutron time-of-flight scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_time-of-flight_scattering)) or through Bragg reflection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bragg_reflection) from single crystals (neutron triple-axis spectroscopy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_triple-axis_spectroscopy), neutron backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_backscattering)). Mono-chromatization is not needed in echo techniques (neutron spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_spin_echo), neutron resonance spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neutron_resonance_s pin_echo&action=edit&redlink=1)), which use the quantum mechanical phase of the neutrons in addition to their amplitudes.
Types of Inelastic Neutron Scattering
1. Triple-axis spectrometry (TAS, T also resolved as "three", S also resolved as "spectroscopy") is a technique used in inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering). The instrument is referred to as triple-axis spectrometer (also called TAS). It allows measurement of the scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scattering) function at any point in energy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy) and momentum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum) space physically accessible by the spectrometer
2. Neutron backscattering is one of several inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) techniques. Backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscattering) from monochromator and analyzer crystals is used to achieve an energy resolution in the order of μeV. Neutron backscattering experiments are performed to study atomic or molecular motion on a nanosecond time scale>
3. Neutron spin echo spectroscopy is an inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) technique invented by Ferenc Mezei (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferenc_Mezei&action=edit&redlink=1) in the 1970’s .The spin-echo spectrometer possesses an extremely high energy resolution (roughly one part in 100,000). Additionally, it measures the density-density correlation (or intermediate scattering function (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_scattering_function)) F(Q,t) as a function of momentum transfer Q and time. Other neutron scattering techniques measure the dynamic structure factor S(Q,ω), which can be converted to F(Q,t) by a Fourier transform (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform), which may be difficult in practice. For weak inelastic features S(Q,ω) is better suited, however, for (slow) relaxations the natural representation is given by F(Q,t). Because of its extraordinary high effective energy resolution compared to other neutron scattering techniques, NSE is an ideal method to observe over damped internal dynamic modes (relaxations)and other diffusive processes in materials such as a polymer blends (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_blend), alkane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkane) chains, or microemulsions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microemulsion). The extraordinary power of NSE spectrometry was further demonstrated recently by the direct observation of coupled internal protein domain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_domain) dynamics in the proteins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein) NHERF1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHERF1) and Taq polymerase (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taq_polymerase), allowing the direct visualization of protein nano-machinery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_machine) in motion.Neutron scattering
Neutron scattering encompasses all scientific techniques whereby the deflection of neutron radiation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_radiation) is used as a scientific probe. Neutrons readily interact with atomic nuclei and magnetic fields from unpaired electrons, making a useful probe of both structure and magnetic order. Neutron Scattering falls into two basic categories, elastic and inelastic. Elastic scattering is when a neutron interacts with a nucleus or electronic magnetic field but does not leave it in an excited state, meaning the emitted neutron has the same energy as the injected neutron. Scattering processes that involve an energetic excitation or relaxation by the neutron are inelastic: the injected neutron’s energy is used or increased to create an excitation or by absorbing the excess energy from a relaxation, and consequently the emitted neutron’s energy is reduced or increased respectively.
For several good reasons, moderated neutrons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_temperature) provide an ideal tool for the study of almost all forms of condensed matter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter). Firstly, they are readily produced at a nuclear research reactor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_reactor) or a spallation source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spallation_source). Normally in such processes neutrons are however produced with much higher energies than are needed. Therefore moderators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_moderator) are generally used which slow the neutrons down and therefore produce wavelengths that are comparable to the atomic spacing in solids and liquids, and kinetic energies that are comparable to those of dynamic processes in materials. Moderators can be made from aluminium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium) and filled with liquid hydrogen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen) (for very long wavelength neutrons) or liquid methane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane) (for shorter wavelength neutrons). Fluxes of 107/s - 108/s are not atypical in most neutron sources from any given moderator.
The neutrons cause pronounced interference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_(wave_propagation)) and energy transfer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_transfer) effects in scattering experiments. Unlike an x-ray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray) photon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon) with a similar wavelength, which interacts with the electron cloud (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_cloud) surrounding the nucleus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_nucleus), neutrons interact with the nucleus itself. Because the neutron is an electrically neutral particle, it is deeply penetrating, and is therefore more able to probe the bulk material. Consequently, it enables the use of a wide range of sample environments that are difficult to use with synchrotron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchrotron) x-ray sources. It also has the advantage that the cross sections for interaction do not increase with atomic number as they do with radiation from a synchrotron x-ray source. Thus neutrons can be used to analyse materials with low atomic numbers like proteins and surfactants. This can be done at synchrotron sources but very high intensities are needed which may cause the structures to change. Moreover, the nucleus provides a very short range, isotropic potential varying randomly from isotope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope) to isotope, making it possible to tune the nuclear scattering contrast to suit the experiment.
The neutron has an additional advantage over the x-ray photon in the study of condensed matter. It readily interacts with internal magnetic fields (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field) in the sample. In fact, the strength of the magnetic scattering signal is often very similar to that of the nuclear scattering signal in many materials, which allows the simultaneous exploration of both nuclear and magnetic structure. Because the neutron scattering amplitude can be measured in absolute units, both the structural and magnetic properties as measured by neutrons can be compared quantitatively with the results of other characterisation techniques
Neutron-12C elastic scattering at 96 MeV
Recent neutron elastic scattering differential cross section data for 12C at 96 MeV have been analysed within the framework of the Glauber model, suitably modified to enlarge the angular range of validity. The ground-state pair correlation correction has been considered. The effects of the medium-modified nucleon-nucleon (NN) total cross section and the phase variation of the NN scattering amplitude on the calculated cross sections have also been studied. The neutron differential cross sections have been calculated using the phenomenological target density. We find that our method of analysis gives a better de******ion of experimental data than those with the optical model potential.
Inelastic neutron scattering
Inelastic neutron scattering is an experimental technique commonly used in condensed matter research (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_matter_physics) to study atomic and molecular motion as well as magnetic and crystal field excitations. It distinguishes itself from other neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_scattering) techniques by resolving the change in kinetic energy that occurs when the collision between neutrons and the sample is an inelastic one. Results are generally communicated as the dynamic structure factor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_structure_factor) (also called inelastic scattering law) S(q,ω), sometimes also as the dynamic susceptibility (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dynamic_susceptibil ity&action=edit&redlink=1) χ(q,ω) where the scattering vector q is the difference between incoming and outgoing wave vector (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_vector), and file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gifis the energy change experienced by the sample (negative that of the scattered neutron). When results are plotted as function of ω, they can often be interpreted in the same way as spectra obtained by conventional spectroscopic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectroscopy) techniques; insofar as inelastic neutron scattering can be seen as a special spectroscopy.
file:///C:/Users/BESTCO~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inelastic-neutron-scattering-basics.png)
Generic layout of an inelastic neutron scattering experiment
Inelastic scattering experiments normally require a mono-chromatization of the incident or outgoing beam and an energy analysis of the scattered neutrons. This can be done either through time-of-flight techniques (neutron time-of-flight scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_time-of-flight_scattering)) or through Bragg reflection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bragg_reflection) from single crystals (neutron triple-axis spectroscopy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_triple-axis_spectroscopy), neutron backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_backscattering)). Mono-chromatization is not needed in echo techniques (neutron spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_spin_echo), neutron resonance spin echo (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neutron_resonance_s pin_echo&action=edit&redlink=1)), which use the quantum mechanical phase of the neutrons in addition to their amplitudes.
Types of Inelastic Neutron Scattering
1. Triple-axis spectrometry (TAS, T also resolved as "three", S also resolved as "spectroscopy") is a technique used in inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering). The instrument is referred to as triple-axis spectrometer (also called TAS). It allows measurement of the scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scattering) function at any point in energy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy) and momentum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum) space physically accessible by the spectrometer
2. Neutron backscattering is one of several inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) techniques. Backscattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscattering) from monochromator and analyzer crystals is used to achieve an energy resolution in the order of μeV. Neutron backscattering experiments are performed to study atomic or molecular motion on a nanosecond time scale>
3. Neutron spin echo spectroscopy is an inelastic neutron scattering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_neutron_scattering) technique invented by Ferenc Mezei (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferenc_Mezei&action=edit&redlink=1) in the 1970’s .The spin-echo spectrometer possesses an extremely high energy resolution (roughly one part in 100,000). Additionally, it measures the density-density correlation (or intermediate scattering function (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_scattering_function)) F(Q,t) as a function of momentum transfer Q and time. Other neutron scattering techniques measure the dynamic structure factor S(Q,ω), which can be converted to F(Q,t) by a Fourier transform (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform), which may be difficult in practice. For weak inelastic features S(Q,ω) is better suited, however, for (slow) relaxations the natural representation is given by F(Q,t). Because of its extraordinary high effective energy resolution compared to other neutron scattering techniques, NSE is an ideal method to observe over damped internal dynamic modes (relaxations)and other diffusive processes in materials such as a polymer blends (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_blend), alkane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkane) chains, or microemulsions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microemulsion). The extraordinary power of NSE spectrometry was further demonstrated recently by the direct observation of coupled internal protein domain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_domain) dynamics in the proteins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein) NHERF1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHERF1) and Taq polymerase (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taq_polymerase), allowing the direct .visualization of protein nano-machinery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_machine) in motion.