A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Abstract Neutrons for scientific and engineering investigations are produced either in nuclear reactors or particle beam accelerators. Neutron scattering is a tool employed to determine the structure of materials using methods similar to those used with X-rays (see X-ray Scattering Methods). There are, however, several distinctive features of the technique which bring sufficient benefits to outweigh the rarity and cost of neutron beams. The advantages fall in three main areas: first, the scattering of neutrons depends on nuclear forces, is not correlated with atomic number and can vary strongly between isotopes of the same element. Structural studies with light elements such as hydrogen are possible. In particular there is a large difference between normal hydrogen and deuterium which has permitted labelling of molecules or parts of molecules. Secondly, the neutrons are massive particles and energy transfer between the sample and the neutron beam can be measured readily. This permits spectroscopic measurements to measure thermal motion in materials with the benefit that the information about dynamics relates to specific atomic or molecular distances within the material. Thirdly, neutrons interact weakly with many materials. Sample can be measured in air and containers can be made out of fused quartz, many metals and other materials. This permits measurements on materials in ‘service’ conditions of temperature, load or chemical environment. Benoit and Higgins1 have described the application of neutron scattering to polymers both as regards structural measurements and studies of molecular motion. Structural studies using various types of radiation are described by Hukins2.
Abstract Neutrons for scientific and engineering investigations are produced either in nuclear reactors or particle beam accelerators. Neutron scattering is a tool employed to determine the structure of materials using methods similar to those used with X-rays (see X-ray Scattering Methods). There are, however, several distinctive features of the technique which bring sufficient benefits to outweigh the rarity and cost of neutron beams. The advantages fall in three main areas: first, the scattering of neutrons depends on nuclear forces, is not correlated with atomic number and can vary strongly between isotopes of the same element. Structural studies with light elements such as hydrogen are possible. In particular there is a large difference between normal hydrogen and deuterium which has permitted labelling of molecules or parts of molecules. Secondly, the neutrons are massive particles and energy transfer between the sample and the neutron beam can be measured readily. This permits spectroscopic measurements to measure thermal motion in materials with the benefit that the information about dynamics relates to specific atomic or molecular distances within the material. Thirdly, neutrons interact weakly with many materials. Sample can be measured in air and containers can be made out of fused quartz, many metals and other materials. This permits measurements on materials in ‘service’ conditions of temperature, load or chemical environment. Benoit and Higgins1 have described the application of neutron scattering to polymers both as regards structural measurements and studies of molecular motion. Structural studies using various types of radiation are described by Hukins2.
Neutron Scattering
Rennie, A. R. (author)
1999-01-01
3 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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