(Magnetic) Neutron Scattering:

Many features of thermal neutrons make them ideal for crystal structure determination:

1. Weakly interacting
2. Penetrating
3. Non-destructive
4. Wavelength matches lattice spacing
5. Light/heavy element sensitivity

(Magnetic) Neutron Scattering:

œ• Neutron also has a magnetic moment, i.e., it can scatter from other magnetic moments in the sample. œ
• The magnetic scattering length is comparable to the nuclear scattering length, i.e., magnetic and nuclear signals have comparable strengths.

Difference between Magnetic and Nuclear scattering:

• They normally occur at different wave vectors.

• While magnetic scattering is temperature dependent, the nuclear scattering does not depend on temperature.

• Using polarized neutrons, spin flipping can be obtained for magnetic scattering.