• Sign up
  • ‎What is Shvoong?‎
  • Sign In
    Sign In
    Remember my username Forgot your password?

Summaries and Short Reviews

.

Shvoong Home>Science>Neutron and Its Application in Material Science Research Summary

.

Neutron and Its Application in Material Science Research

Article Abstract by: fadzlina     

Original Author: Noorddin Ibrahim
The discovery of neutron and the progress made in neutron physics during the last 30 years has significantly changed our
notion about nature, ranging from the constituents of elementary particles to the status of the universe. The phase of a neutron wave has become a measurable quantity. Together with neutron spin-echo experiments, neutron interferometry have shown how non-classical states of neutrons can be created and used for highly sensitive investigations of condensed matter and fundamental physics research. Nowadays, coherent neutron beams of a few cm2 cross-sections and separated by a few centimeter distance can be easily obtained. This allows high accuracy measurements of coherent nuclear and magnetic scattering amplitudes of elements, isotopes, solutions etc. The coupling of the neutron magnetic moment to oscillating magnetic fields permits multi-photon exchange while the quantization of neutron states inside microscopic structures facilitates new possibilities in basic and advanced material research. The technique of neutron reflectometry is used to probe the structure of surfaces, thin films or buried interfaces as well as processes occurring at surfaces and interfaces such as adsorption, adhesion and inter-diffusion. It is widely used in biosciences and emerging field of nanotechnology and covers magnetic multi-layers, photosensitive films, electrochemical and catalytic interfaces, surfactant layers, polymer coatings and biological membranes. Neutron scattering is another a useful source of information about the positions, motions, and magnetic properties of solids. When a beam of neutrons is aimed at a sample, many neutrons will pass through the material. But some will interact directly with atomic nuclei and bounce away at an angle. Using detectors, scientists can count scattered neutrons, measure their energies and the angles at which they scatter, and map their final position. In this way, scientists can glean details about the nature of materials ranging from liquid crystals to superconducting ceramics, from proteins to plastics and from metals to micelles to metallic glass magnets.
Published: April 25, 2007
Please Rate this Review : 1 2 3 4 5

Bookmark & share this post

.