In-situ and Kinetic Studies Using Neutrons

Abstract

Neutrons provide unique possibilities for in-situ studies of condensed matter due to their ability to penetrate large samples and work pieces, to distinguish between neighboring elements and even between isotopes of the same element, to interact with magnetic moments and to map nuclear and magnetic excitations. The range of applications extends from biological or soft matter systems over basic superconducting and magnetic investigations to all kinds of materials science under a great variety of external conditions. Complex and sophisticated sample environments have been developed in the past to study samples under external perturbations and extreme conditions like high or low temperatures, high pressures and mechanical stresses, electric and magnetic fields and different kinds of chemical environments. Not only equilibrium studies are in the focus of neutron scattering investigations—increasing interest in real-time kinetic studies lead to new techniques that allow even inelastic studies on time scales down to the microsecond regime thus providing most direct information about the changing chemical bonds in materials. In the present chapter, we want to provide an overview over recent developments for in-situ studies using neutrons and to highlight some application in materials science without having the ambition to give a comprehensive review. Selected examples of neutron studies under extreme conditions from a variety of different disciplines are collected to demonstrate the power of neutron scattering for materials characterization. Moreover, kinetic studies providing information about the relaxation behavior of materials under external load are presented covering time-scales from hours or days down to the microsecond regime. Those investigations are the basis for the understanding of the basic microscopic mechanisms and allow one to tailor materials using non-equilibrium states.