Recent progress in elastic and inelastic neutron scattering for chemical, polymeric, and biological investigations

Abstract

Neutron scattering is widely used in a variety of disciplines. Neutrons differ from other structural probes such as X-rays and electrons in that they are neutral, have deep penetration ability, and have high sensitivity to light elements. These characteristics afford neutron based probes unique advantages for investigating the structure and structural evolution in chemical, polymeric, and biological systems, especially in systems where hydrogen is enriched. Moreover, the range of energy and scattering vector accessible to neutrons are consistent with the natural time and length scales of these materials. This review will demonstrate recent applications of both elastic and inelastic/quasi-elastic neutron scattering (IE/QENS). The current capabilities and characteristics of techniques such as small angle neutron scattering (SANS), ultra-small angle neutron scattering (USANS), spin echo small angle neutron scattering (SESANS), neutron diffraction will be reviewed via examples. IE/QENS such as triple-axis spectrometer (TAS), neutron spin echo (NSE), and neutron backscattering spectrometer (BSS) will be introduced as well. Moreover, we will also review the use of instrumentation with recent defining examples around the world as well as on the neutron scattering platform of 20 MW China Mianyang Research Reactor (CMRR).