Neutron Powder Diffraction

Abstract

For many classes of materials, neutron diffraction is the best way to obtain detailed atomic-level structural information. Diffraction experiments on single crystals provide the most precise data, but sufficiently large specimens (>0.1–0.5 mm3) are often not available. Steady development of instrumentation and data analysis techniques, however, has now made it possible to obtain comparably precise structural information from neutron diffraction experiments on powder samples. Such studies have played a prominent role in solid state physics, chemistry, and materials science in recent years. The special capabilities that have contributed to the success of this technique include atomic cross sections that are often favorable for a particular structural problem, high neutron penetrating power, the excellent resolution achieved with state-of-the-art diffractometers, and steadily advancing analysis techniques that facilitate obtaining structural information from a diverse range of polycrystalline materials.As Axe, Pynn, and Hayter note in their introductory article in this issue of the MRS BULLETIN, atomic scattering cross sections for neutrons are not simply a function of atomic number, as is the case for x-rays. The scattering is predominantly from the nuclei (thus avoiding the form factor diminution observed for x-ray scattering), and coherent neutron scattering cross sections can, generally, be as large for light atoms as for heavy atoms. Light atoms, such as hydrogen (deuterium), oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, or lithium, can therefore be located in the presence of heavier atoms. This advantage has led to the widespread use of neutron powder diffraction for studing metal hydrides and, more recently, oxide superconductors.