Neutron diffraction: a primer
Abstract
Abstract Because of the neutron’s special properties, neutron diffraction may be considered one of the most powerful techniques for structure determination of crystalline and related matter. Neutrons can be released from nuclear fission, from spallation processes, and also from low-energy nuclear reactions, and they can then be used in powder, time-of-flight, texture, single crystal, and other techniques, all of which are perfectly suited to clarify crystal and magnetic structures. With high neutron flux and sufficient brilliance, neutron diffraction also excels for diffuse scattering, for in situ and operando studies as well as for high-pressure experiments of today’s materials. For these, the wave-like neutron’s infinite advantage (isotope specific, magnetic) is crucial to answering important scientific questions, for example, on the structure and dynamics of light atoms in energy conversion and storage materials, magnetic matter, or protein structures. In this primer, we summarize the current state of neutron diffraction (and how it came to be), but also look at recent advances and new ideas, e.g., the design of new instruments, and what follows from that.
Read the paper
Related studies
- The physics, dosimetry and microdosimetry of boron neutron capture theraphy
- Patient radiation dosimetry in MSCT examinations
- Multiyear Program Plan for the High Temperature Materials Laboratory
- Nuclear structure studies with neutron-induced reactions : fission fragments in the N=50-60 region, a fission tagger for FIPPS, and production of the isomer Pt-195m
- Institutional research and development, FY 1988
- Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program: FY 2025 Completed Projects
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.