Prospects of using neutron beams for gamma-resonance spectroscopy

A model of an electrodynamic Mössbauer spectrometer has been developed by the NRC “Kurchatov Institute”—PNPI (Gatchina, Russian Federation). The model represents a prototype using the neutron beam of the PIK reactor, which is generated using either constant or periodic activation of a γ-source, and isotope sources for structural and physicochemical studies of steel and alloys, minerals, catalysts, nanostructures, and biological objects. The article presents the physical characteristics of the model, as well as the sample preparation methodology and measurement modes with sample cooling to liquid nitrogen temperature. The experiments performed on a crystal hydrate with initially divalent iron admixed with Fe³⁺ have demonstrated the capabilities of the spectrometer for non-destructive testing of chemical reactions. The potential of the spectrometer in nanotechnology is illustrated by the results of studying magnetic graphene oxide composites and nanodiamonds grafted with europium ions.