Physics

Neutron Scattering

Modern materials science aims to comprehend the factors that influence the qualities of matter at the atomic level, then apply that understanding to improve those properties or create new materials and functionalities. This process is frequently accompanied by the discovery of exciting new physics, which can lead to previously unimagined possibilities. Almost all of our society's significant changes, from the rapid expansion of computing and the internet to the constant increase in average life span, can be traced back to advances in our understanding and use of material physics and chemistry. Scientists utilise a number of methods and approaches to examine atomic-scale structure and dynamics, which are frequently based on the scattering of particle beams. To examine structure with atomic resolution, a "ideal" probe might have a wavelength similar to the space between atoms and an energy similar to that of atoms in materials to study their dynamics. It would be devoid of charge in order to avoid severe scattering by charges on electrons or nuclei and to allow deep penetration into materials.It would be scattered equally by light and heavy atoms and have a proper magnetic moment, allowing us to investigate magnetism with ease. To ease comparison with theory and computer modelling, the scattering cross-section would be exactly quantifiable on an absolute scale.

• Elastic neutron scattering
• Quasielastic/inelastic neutron scattering
• Spin-echo instrument
• Diffractometers
• Monochromator