Neutron Scattering In Condensed Matter Physics

Neutron scattering has become a key technique for investigating the properties of materials on an atomic scale. The uniqueness of this method is based on the fact that the wavelength and energy of thermal neutrons ideally match interatomic distances and excitation energies in condensed matter, and thus neutron scattering is able to directly examine the static and dynamic properties of the material. In addition, neutrons carry a magnetic moment, which makes them a unique probe for detecting magnetic phenomena. In this important book, an introduction to the basic principles and instrumental aspects of neutron scattering is provided, and the most important phenomena and materials properties in condensed matter physics are described and exemplified by typical neutron scattering experiments, with emphasis on explaining how the relevant information can be extracted from the measurements.

Neutron scattering is arguably the most powerful technique available for looking inside materials and seeing what the atoms are doing. This textbook provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the many different ways neutrons are being used to investigate the behaviour of atoms and molecules in bulk matter. It is written in a pedagogical style, and includes many examples and exercises. Every year, thousands of experiments are performed at neutron scattering facilities around the world, exploring phenomena in physics, chemistry, materials science, as well as in interdisciplinary areas such as biology, materials engineering, and cultural heritage. This book fulfils a need for a modern and pedagogical treatment of the principles behind the various different neutron techniques, in order to provide scientists with the essential formal tools to design their experiments and interpret the results. The book will be of particular interest to researchers using neutrons to study the atomic-scale structure and dynamics in crystalline solids, simple liquids and molecular fluids by diffraction techniques, including small-angle scattering and reflectometry, and by spectroscopic methods, ranging from conventional techniques for inelastic and quasielastic scattering to neutron spin-echo and Compton scattering. A comprehensive treatment of magnetic neutron scattering is given, including the many and diverse applications of polarized neutrons.

Neutrons, which are a penetrating yet non destructive probe, are ideally suited to studying the structure, organisation and motion of molecules responsible for the physical properties of materials under a variety of conditions. Applications are in fields as diverse as colloid and polymer science, earth sciences, pharmaceutics, biology and engineering. This book will be of interest to both present and potential future users of neutron sources working in these areas, as both a useful reference and a comprehensive overview.

An invaluable, up-to-date reference aid for investigators and researchers, this two-volume work develops the principles and concepts of statistical physics and quantum chemistry that are the basis for the interpretation of experimental data. These volumes build on the author's now standard text, Theory of Neutron Scattering (Oxford University Press, 1971), and include expanded coverage of nuclear scattering, with many sections completely rewritten and updated, and many previously unpublished experimental calculations. With a greatly expanded bibliography including 200 new references, this work will interest graduate students and researchers in physics.

"Neutron scattering measurements provide information at an atomic level on the chemical and physical properties of matter. The unique character of the neutron-matter interaction means that in many instances the information is obtainable in no other way. The book develops the principles and concepts of statistical physics and quantum chemistry that are the basis for the interpretation of experimental data. The topics include elastic nuclear scattering, scattering by lattice vibrations and by liquids, and some chemical applications (vol. 1) and elastic and inelastic magnetic scattering (vol. 2). These two volumes will be of interest to graduate students and workers and researchers in the field of neutron scattering"--back cover/

Neutron scattering is arguably the most powerful technique available for looking inside materials and seeing what the atoms are doing. This textbook provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the many different ways neutrons are being used to investigate the behaviour of atoms and molecules in bulk matter. It is written in a pedagogical style, and includes many examples and exercises. Every year, thousands of experiments are performed at neutron scattering facilities around the world, exploring phenomena in physics, chemistry, materials science, as well as in interdisciplinary areas such as biology, materials engineering, and cultural heritage. This book fulfils a need for a modern and pedagogical treatment of the principles behind the various different neutron techniques, in order to provide scientists with the essential formal tools to design their experiments and interpret the results. The book will be of particular interest to researchers using neutrons to study the atomic-scale structure and dynamics in crystalline solids, simple liquids and molecular fluids by diffraction techniques, including small-angle scattering and reflectometry, and by spectroscopic methods, ranging from conventional techniques for inelastic and quasielastic scattering to neutron spin-echo and Compton scattering. A comprehensive treatment of magnetic neutron scattering is given, including the many and diverse applications of polarized neutrons.

An invaluable, up-to-date reference aid for investigators and researchers, this two-volume work develops the principles and concepts of statistical physics and quantum chemistry that are the basis for the interpretation of experimental data. These volumes build on the author's now standard text, Theory of Neutron Scattering (Oxford University Press, 1971), and include expanded coverage of nuclear scattering, with many sections completely rewritten and updated, and many previously unpublished experimental calculations. With a greatly expanded bibliography including 200 new references, this work will interest graduate students and researchers in physics.