On the determination of partial structure functions in small-angle scattering exemplified by Al89Ni6La5alloy

Abstract

A comparison between the resonant scattering curve obtained by anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering at the X-ray absorption edge of Ni and the complementary small-angle neutron scattering curve from an Al89Ni6La5alloy sample is reported. The sample does not comply with the two-phase approximation. The two resulting scattering curves are approximately proportional to each other in this particular case. The anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering resonant curve at the Ni absorption edge equals the Ni–Ni partial structure factor and, owing to the favourable neutron scattering lengths of Ni, La and Al, the neutron scattering curve is also proportional to that partial structure factor.