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Neutron Reflectivity

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Book cover Surface Science Techniques

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Surface Sciences ((SSSUR,volume 51))

Abstract

Neutrons are neutral particles which have specific properties. The neutron scattering potential depends on the atomic number A in a non-monotonous way. The scattering lengths of 1 H and 2 H are both large and of opposite sign. This makes isotopic labeling a very useful tool for the study of polymers or biological systems since specific parts of a system can be highlighted by creating large contrasts between the hydrogenated and deuterated elements. The second key property of neutrons is a large magnetic interaction with the magnetic induction field which is of the same order as the nuclear interaction potential. This makes neutrons especially suited for the study of magnetic thin films. The scattering lengths of the classical 3d metal (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) are quite different which makes neutrons useful for the study of metallic layers. The neutrons are also very weakly absorbed by most materials which allows performing studies on buried interfaces and in particular makes solid-liquid and liquid-liquid interface characterizations rather easy to perform.

In this chapter we will present the basics of neutron reflectivity and illustrate its use in various fields of solid state physics: polymer science, biology, metallurgy and magnetism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lab. Léon Brillouin CEA/CNRS, bat 563 Centre d’Etudes de Saclay, 91191, Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France

    Frédéric Ott

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  1. Frédéric Ott
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Correspondence to Frédéric Ott .

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  1. , Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 33, Genoa, 16146, Italy

    Gianangelo Bracco

  2. , Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Allegaten 55, Bergen, 5007, Svalbard

    Bodil Holst

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Ott, F. (2013). Neutron Reflectivity. In: Bracco, G., Holst, B. (eds) Surface Science Techniques. Springer Series in Surface Sciences, vol 51. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34243-1_11

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