neutrondifraktsioon

Neutrondifraktsioon, also known as neutron scattering, is a powerful experimental technique used to probe the atomic and magnetic structure of materials. It utilizes neutrons as the incident particles, which possess unique properties making them ideal for this purpose. Neutrons are neutral, meaning they interact with atomic nuclei primarily through the strong nuclear force, and they also possess a magnetic dipole moment, allowing them to interact with unpaired electron spins in magnetic materials.

In a typical neutron diffraction experiment, a beam of neutrons is directed at a sample. As the neutrons interact with the atoms and magnetic moments within the sample, they are scattered in various directions. The scattered neutrons are then detected, and their intensities are measured as a function of scattering angle. This scattering pattern is not random; it arises from the constructive and destructive interference of neutron waves, analogous to how light waves interfere in optical diffraction experiments.

The analysis of the resulting diffraction pattern provides detailed information about the arrangement of atoms in crystalline materials, including lattice parameters, atomic positions, and the presence of defects. For magnetic materials, neutron diffraction can reveal the type and orientation of magnetic moments, providing insights into magnetic ordering and phase transitions. The technique is particularly valuable for studying light elements like hydrogen, which are difficult to detect with X-rays, and for distinguishing between neighboring elements in the periodic table. Neutron diffraction is employed across a wide range of scientific disciplines, including condensed matter physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology.