Neutron diffraction
Neutron diffraction reveals structural information on the arrangement of atoms and magnetic moments in condensed matter. Single-crystal diffraction provides the most precise and detailed information but requires crystal samples of suitable quality and size. Otherwise samples exist in a form in which some of the structural information is spatially averaged and the corresponding experimental technique is referred to here generically as ‘powder diffraction’. It however includes diffraction on liquids, biological samples (eg membranes) and engineering components.
Single-crystal neutron diffraction
There is a comprehensive range of diffractometers. Each instrument is optimized for particular kinds of scientific studies which depend for example on the wavelength range of the neutron beam, the availability of polarized neutrons and the sample environments that can be used.
An overview of instrument parameters is provided in the table below to help you choose the most suitable instrument. By clicking on the instrument, you can go directly to the dedicated instrument pages where more information can be found, including scientific highlights and contact details for the instrument scientists.
Single-crystal diffraction instrument parameters
D3 | D7 | D9 | D10 | D19 | D23 | LADI | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
λ (Å) In bold the optimum | from 0.42 to 0.84 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 5.7 | from 0.3 to 0.85 | 1.26 | 2.36 | 0.94 | 1.17 | 1.45 | 2.4 | from 1 to 3 | 2.3 | 5 | |
2θ (deg) min, max | from 5 to 121 | from 10 to 155 | from 5 to 120 | 3 | 146 | 5 | 126 | from 4 to 130 | 0.13 | ||||||
Qmax - Qmin (Å-1) | from 26.04 to 0.65 | from 0.4 to 4 | from 0.3 to 2.5 | from 0.2 to 2.1 | from 36.28 to 0.64 | 9.54 | 0.14 | 11.91 | 0.23 | from 11.39 to 0.15 | 5 | ||||
Comments | Polarised neutron diffraction & complex antiferromagnetic structures | Diffuse scattering, permanent polarization analysis | High resolution crystallography & magnetism of absorbing materials | Magnetic structures & diffraction with energy analysis | Large solid angle detector for structural studies of large volume systems | Magnetic structures & magnetic phase diagrams | Protein crystallography (Laue diffraction) |
Powder neutron diffraction
There is a comprehensive range of diffractometers. Each instrument is optimized for particular kinds of scientific studies which depend for example on the type of sample - powder, liquid (D4), membrane (D16), engineering component (SALSA), etc - the corresponding wavelength range of the neutron beam, and the trade-off between resolution and flux.
An overview of instrument parameters is provided in the table below to help you choose the most suitable instrument. By clicking on the instrument, you can go directly to the dedicated instrument pages where more information can be found, including scientific highlights and contact details for the instrument scientists.
Powder diffraction instrument parameters
D1B | D2B | D4 | D7 | D16 | D20 | Salsa | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
λ (Å) | 1.28 | 2.52 | 1.594 | 2.398 | 0.35 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 4.5 & 7.5 (83°) | 1.3 | 2.41 | 1.3 | 2.4 | |
2qmin | 2.2 | 2.2 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 5.6 & 9 (115°) | 3.1 | 3.1 | ||||||
2qmax | 128.5 | 128.5 | 159.6 | 159.6 | 138 | 138 | 138 | 0.02 | 138.5 | 138.5 | ||||||
Qmin | 0.19 | 0.1 | 0.38 | 0.25 | 0.41 | 0.29 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 0.26 | 0.14 | |||
Qmax | 8.84 | 4.49 | 7.76 | 5.16 | 33.52 | 23.46 | 16.76 | 4 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 9.04 | 4.88 | ||||
dmin | 0.71 | 1.4 | 0.81 | 1.22 | 0.19 | 0.27 | 0.37 | 0.7 | 1.29 | 0.7 | 1.3 | |||||
dmax | 33.34 | 65.63 | 16.61 | 24.99 | 15.43 | 22.04 | 30.85 | 24.03 | 44.55 | 4 | 7 | |||||
Comments | high flux | high resolution | highest Q-range disordered materials | standard wl | highest flux | low Q | very high flux | engineering, stress. Spatial resolution: 0.6…4mm |