Role of neutron beams in understanding the structure of alloys ferroelectrics and semi conductors

Abstract

Our knowledge of materials is advanced to great extent with the help of optical, X-ray and electron beams, yet certain problems like order/disorder in alloys of metals having neighbouring atomic numbers, magnetic moment of magnetic alloys and compounds, position of atoms/ions in ferroelectrics cannot be solved with these techniques alone. Fortunately neutron beams because of their interaction with nuclei, can give us a detailed information about these problems. This paper reviews the experimental technique of neutron diffraction. Certain problems in alloy constitution, ferro-electricity and magnetic moments are discussed in light of the information obtained from neutron diffraction studies.