Quasielastic Neutron Scattering and Solid State Diffusion

Abstract The book provides an account of quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) which has made many important contributions to the atomistic elucidation of diffusion processes in solids. The unique feature of QENS is that it probes the diffusion process on atomistic scales of space and time simultaneously. The aim of this book is to inform of the potential of QENS. Chapters 3-6 present the derivation of all equations in great details. Chapter 2 deals with neutron sources, and Chapter 7 with some experimental details of QENS. The second part addresses the expert and summarizes the scientific applications of quasielastic neutron scattering to special solid state material systems, as for example to diffusion in metals or to diffusion in solid state ionic conductors. By far the most favourable element for QENS is hydrogen: hydrogen is very mobile in metals and ceramics, so the restricted energy/time resolution of QENS is no limitation; hydrogen has a huge scattering cross section, so the limited intensity of existing neutron sources is no limitation; hydrogen leads to almost purely incoherent scattering which facilitates the theoretical treatment and interpretation of neutron scattering events appreciably.