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Neutron scattering is a powerful analytical technique used in materials science, physics, chemistry, and biology to investigate the structural and dynamic properties of matter at the atomic and molecular levels. It involves bombarding a sample with a beam of neutrons and analyzing the scattered neutrons to gain insight into the sample's internal structure and behavior.

Neutrons are subatomic particles with no electric charge and a mass slightly greater than that of protons. Due to their neutral charge, neutrons can penetrate deeply into materials without significant absorption or reflection, making them ideal for studying bulk properties of samples. When neutrons interact with nuclei within a material, they are scattered at different angles, depending on the arrangement of atoms or molecules. By measuring the angles and intensities of scattered neutrons, researchers can determine spatial arrangements, electron density distributions, and dynamic processes such as diffusion or vibrations.

Neutron scattering techniques include neutron diffraction, which reveals atomic and molecular structures; small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), used for studying nanoscale features; and inelastic neutron scattering, which provides information about atomic and molecular motions. These methods are complementary to X-ray scattering but offer unique advantages, such as sensitivity to lighter elements like hydrogen and the ability to distinguish isotopes.

Neutron sources for scattering experiments are typically nuclear reactors or spallation sources, which produce high fluxes of neutrons. Data collected from neutron scattering experiments contribute significantly to understanding materials' properties, developing new materials, and exploring biological structures such as proteins and cell components. Overall, neutron scattering remains an essential tool in scientific research for unveiling the microscopic world.