Neutron Scattering with a Triple-Axis Spectrometer Basic Techniques

This practical guidebook is written for graduate and post-doctoral students, as well as for experienced researchers new to neutron scattering. Introductory chapters summarize useful scattering formulas and describe the components of a spectrometer. The authors then discuss the resolution function and focusing effects. Simple examples of phonon and magnon measurements are presented. Important chapters cover spurious effects in inelastic and elastic measurements, and how to avoid them. The last chapter covers techniques for, and applications of, polarization analysis.

Neutron scattering is an extremely powerful tool in the study of elemental excitations in condensed matter. This book provides a practical guide to basic techniques using a triple-axis spectrometer. Introductory chapters summarize useful scattering formulas and describe the components of a spectrometer, followed by a comprehensive discussion of the resolution function and focusing effects. Later sections include simple examples of phonon and magnon measurements, and an analysis of spurious effects in both inelastic and elastic measurements, and how to avoid them. Finally, polarization analysis techniques and their applications are covered. This guide will allow graduate students and experienced researchers new to neutron scattering to make the most efficient use of their experimental time.

1. Introduction; 2. Scattering formulas; 3. Elements of a three-axis instrument; 4. Inelastic scattering and the resolution function; 5. Phonons and magnons; 6. Spurious peaks; 7. Bragg diffraction; 8. Polarized neutrons; Appendices; Index.

This practical guide to basic techniques is essential for graduate students and post-docs, as well as experienced researchers new to neutron scattering. Introductory chapters present useful scattering formulas and describe the components of a spectrometer. Simple examples of measurements are given, along with advice on how to avoid spurious effects.

Gen Shirane received his doctorate in physics from the University of Tokyo in 1954. He has used neutron scattering extensively in studies of magnetism, ferroelectricity, lattice dynamics, and phase transitions.
Stephen Shapiro obtained his PhD in physics from The Johns Hopkins University in 1969. He is particularly interested in applying neutron and x-ray scattering techniques to study structural and magnetic phase transitions in condensed matter systems.
John Tranquada received his PhD in physics from the University of Washington (Seattle) in 1983. His work focuses on experimental studies of correlated electron systems, especially high-temperature superconductors and transition-metal oxides using neutron scattering and other techniques.