Single Crystal Time-of-Flight Neutron Diffraction

Abstract

The last century has seen a large development in diffraction techniques. The time-of-flight neutron diffraction method is now so advanced that it provides high precision results for position and thermal parameters, which are complementary to other diffraction results from X-ray sources. Here we review the history of neutron sources, the difficulties encountered with the time-of-flight technique and an outlook for applications. In this context, we will show the limitations of existing neutron sources and the expected advantages of new spallation neutron sources. An overview of all corrections to be taken into account with the wavelength-sorting technique will be presented as well as actual results, how to overcome such problems, and the special difficulty of integration of three-dimensional Bragg peaks.