Neutron diffraction: a primer

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, vol. 239, pp. 139–166

Abstract

Abstract Because of the neutron’s special properties, neutron diffraction may be considered one of the most powerful techniques for structure determination of crystalline and related matter. Neutrons can be released from nuclear fission, from spallation processes, and also from low-energy nuclear reactions, and they can then be used in powder, time-of-flight, texture, single crystal, and other techniques, all of which are perfectly suited to clarify crystal and magnetic structures. With high neutron flux and sufficient brilliance, neutron diffraction also excels for diffuse scattering, for in situ and operando studies as well as for high-pressure experiments of today’s materials. For these, the wave-like neutron’s infinite advantage (isotope specific, magnetic) is crucial to answering important scientific questions, for example, on the structure and dynamics of light atoms in energy conversion and storage materials, magnetic matter, or protein structures. In this primer, we summarize the current state of neutron diffraction (and how it came to be), but also look at recent advances and new ideas, e.g., the design of new instruments, and what follows from that.

Authors 12

1. Richard Dronskowski corresponding Aachen Institute of Inorganic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , 52056 Aachen , Germany

2. Thomas Brückel

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS-2) and Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-4) , Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , 52425 Jülich , Germany

3. Holger Kohlmann

   Leipzig University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry , Leipzig University , Johannisallee 29 , 04103 Leipzig , Germany

4. Maxim Avdeev

   The University of Sydney · Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation

   Affiliation as printed

   Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation , New Illawarra Rd , Lucas Heights , NSW 2234 , Australia

   School of Chemistry , The University of Sydney , Sydney 2006 , Australia

5. Andreas Houben Aachen Institute of Inorganic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , 52056 Aachen , Germany

6. Martin Meven Aachen Institute of Crystallography

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Crystallography , RWTH Aachen University , 52056 Aachen , Germany

   JCNS Outstation at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum , Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , 85748 Garching , Germany

7. M. Hofmann

   Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum · Technical University of Munich

   Affiliation as printed

   Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum , Technische Universität München , Garching , Germany

8. Takashi Kamiyama

   Chinese Academy of Sciences · China Spallation Neutron Source · Institute of High Energy Physics

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of High Energy Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China

   Spallation Neutron Source Science Center , Dongguan , 523803 , China

9. Mirijam Zobel Aachen Institute of Crystallography

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Crystallography , RWTH Aachen University , 52056 Aachen , Germany

   Jülich Centre for Neutron Science - Neutron Analytics for Energy Research (JCNS-3) , Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße , 52428 Jülich , Germany

10. W. Schweika

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · European Spallation Source

    Affiliation as printed

    Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS-2) and Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-4) , Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , 52425 Jülich , Germany

    Science Directorate, Diffraction and Imaging Division , European Spallation Source ERIC , Lund , Sweden

11. Raphaël P. Hermann

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory

    Affiliation as printed

    Materials Science and Technology Division , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge TN 37830 , USA

12. Asami Sano‐Furukawa

    Japan Atomic Energy Agency · High Energy Accelerator Research Organization · Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex · Institute of Materials Structure Science

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Materials Structure Science , High Energy Accelerator Research Organization , Tokai , Ibaraki 319-1106 , Japan

    J-PARC Center , Japan Atomic Energy Agency , Tokai , Ibaraki 319-1195 , Japan