Distribution of transport current in a type-II superconductor studied by small-angle neutron scattering

We report small-angle neutron scattering measurements on the vortex lattice in a PbIn polycrystal in the presence of an applied current. Using the rocking curves as a probe of the distribution of current in the sample, we observe that vortex pinning is due to the surface roughness. This leads to a surface current that persists in the flux-flow region. We show the influence of surface treatments on the distribution of this current.     

Anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering from charged soft matter

A review of recent applications of Anomalous Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (ASAXS) to charged soft matter systems is presented. Although the potential of ASAXS was realized in the eighties [1], applications to soft matter systems became feasible in recent years thanks to the technical developments at the synchrotron sources. Examples include both stiff chain and flexible polyelectrolytes, colloidal brush-like polyelectrolytes, DNA, RNA, and polysaccharides where the counterion profile could be determined with high precision and compared with theoretical models. In addition, ASAXS has also been found useful for microstructure characterization in soft materials. Finally, the present capability for ASAXS studies is illustrated by an example involving a surfactant micellar system.     

Structure of phase-inversion membranes from small-angle neutron scattering data

The structure of gradient-porous (asymmetric) membranes based on polyamide imide at different conditions of their formation has been investigated using small-angle neutron scattering. It has been shown that the membranes consist of rigid porous networks with well-defined interfaces between the polymer and the pores. It has been found that there are differences in the packings of structural elements of porous membranes-spherical pores with radii from 4 to 100 nm—depending on the membrane preformation time, drying regime, and the presence of fullerene C₆₀ for modifying the mechanical and selective properties of membranes. The membranes also contain larger pores of micrometer sizes. Differences in the rates of saturation of membranes with water and their limiting swelling ratios are found, which can be explained by the structure of the dense layers of membranes (skin layer) and their different hydrophilities (depending on the fullerene content).     

Metallurgical applications of small-angle scattering

The basic principles of neutron and x-ray small-angle scattering are briefly outlined. Applications of the technique to study the decomposition kinetics of alloys, precipitate shapes and precipitate interactions are discussed, summarising results for Al- and Ni-base alloys.     

Evidence for diffusion-induced convection in ferrofluids from small-angle neutron scattering

Isothermal convection in ferrofluids has been induced by a gradient in particle concentration antiparallel to a magnetic field gradient. The deviation of local particle concentration from its equilibrium value produced by the convective motion of the whole fluid gives rise to a corresponding spatial variation of magnetization. This variation has been observed by magnetic neutron scattering in good agreement with expectations based on flow measurements with an anemometric method.     

Analysis of small-angle neutron scattering from very dilute magnetic fluids

The possibility to conduct the experiment on small-angle neutron scattering on very dilute magnetic fluids (the volume fraction of magnetite is ∼0.1%) is discussed. The aim of these experiments is to determine the structural parameters of these fluids using the Guinier approximation. Primary attention is concentrated on the experimental observation of a nonmagnetic layer on the surfaces of magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in a liquid carrier. Significant parameters are determined, and conditions for the experiment on the contrast variation are chosen in model calculations.     

小角X射线散射应用研究若干进展

文章从小角X射线散射（small-ande X-ray scattering，SAXS）的理论分析出发，结合国内外SAXS理论和应用研究的最新动态，总结了文章作者所在的研究小组近年来在SAXS技术用于材料微结构表征方面的研究成果。主要包括以下三个方面的内容：（1）有机／无机杂化材料中电子密度波动的研究；（2）弦长度分布函数材料的周期结构的研究；（3）纳米粉末晶化过程的研究。     

Influence of small-angle scattering on magnetoresistance

Small-angle scattering can produce significant effects when the Fermi surface is able to provide both electron and hole orbits in a magnetic field. These orbits may run close to one another ink-space so that scattering through a small angle is sufficient to change the path of an electron radically. Simple models of the phenomenon will be described and their calculated behaviour compared with experimental results. This work has been published in Proc. Roy. Soc.A 305, 291 (1968).     

Structure of the magnetite-oleic acid-decalin magnetic fluid from small-angle neutron scattering data

Structural parameters of the magnetite-oleic acid-decalin magnetic fluid at various excesses of oleic acid (up to 25 vol %) have been determined using small-angle neutron scattering. Based on the comparison of the behavior of oleic acid in the magnetic fluid and in the pure solvent (decalin), it has been concluded that the interaction between the molecules of free (unadsorbed) surfactant changes in the presence of magnetic nanoparticles. However, the system remains stable and does not form aggregates of magnetic particles or free oleic acid. These results are compared with the previously presented data for similar benzene-based magnetic fluids.     

Correlation effects in small-angle multiple neutron scattering

The dependence of the spectra of small-angle multiple neutron scattering on the volume fraction occupied by scattering grains is considered. The concentration expansion is used to develop scattering theory in the eikonal approximation. The leading term of the expansion reproduces the standard low-concentration theory (Mollier). Some properties of the first correction term are analyzed, and it is shown that the angular distribution narrows with an increase in concentration, in qualitative agreement with the experimental data.     

Longitudinal polarization analysis in small-angle neutron scattering

Due to recent progress in the development of ³He spin filters, it has only now become possible to perform routinely longitudinal (one-dimensional) neutron-spin analysis (POLARIS) in small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments. It is the purpose of this article to provide a brief introduction into the technique and to discuss first experimental data. In particular, for the most common scattering geometry where the applied magnetic (guide) field is perpendicular to the incident neutron beam, we write down the equations for the non-spin-flip and spin-flip SANS cross sections of a bulk ferromagnet, and we discuss the various angular anisotropies and asymmetries along with some selected experimental results on an FeCr based soft magnetic nanocrystalline alloy. In particular, we show that the analysis of the spin-flip data allows one to obtain the magnitude-squares of the three vector (Fourier) components of the magnetization.     

Structure of amyloid aggregates of lysozyme from small-angle X-ray scattering data

The structure of filament amyloid aggregates of hen egg white lysozyme in water has been investigated by the small-angle X-ray scattering method. The experimental data are described by different cylindrical models, among which the best agreement is reached with the long helix model. A comparison of the results with the small-angle neutron scattering data reveals the influence of the heavy component of the solvent (a H₂O/D₂O mixture) on the structure of the filaments.     

Magnetic small-angle scattering of neutrons in amorphous ferromagnets

In amorphous Fe₄₀Ni₄₀C₁₄P₆ alloys the field dependence of the magnetic scattering cross section and the analysis of the scattering profile indicate the presence of stress centres corresponding to quasidislocation dipoles.     

Single scattering profile from small-angle scattering data affected by multiple scattering: use of a basis function set

Present work involves extraction of single-scattering profile from small-angle scattering data, affected by multiple scattering, using an existing model-independent algorithm [Mazumder et al., Physica B 241–243, 1222 (1998), Mazumder et al., J. Appl. Crystallogr. 36, 840 (2003)]. It is shown that implementation of the algorithm becomes effective by representing the multiple scattering profiles in terms of a set of basis function whose form of Hankel transformed pair is known analytically. In the present paper, the methodology has been presented by introducing a Gaussian basis set and has been tested for various simulated profiles. The performance of this methodology has also been tested for scattering profiles having complex internal features and moderate statistical noise. Subsequently, the same has been applied for experimental small-angle neutron scattering data.     

Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering from alkaline phosphatase immobilized in atmospheric plasmapolymer coatings

Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) has been used to study proteins embedded in thin polymer films obtained by a new cold, atmospheric-pressure plasma technique. In order to test the efficiency of the technology, four samples of alkaline phosphatase incorporated in organic polymer coatings in different plasma conditions have been investigated. Data have been analysed in the framework of the distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA), by using a new method for the simultaneous fitting of the two-dimensional diffuse scattering from each sample. As a result, protein film concentration and aggregation state as well as a set of parameters describing the polymer coatings have been obtained.     

Characterization of porous materials by small-angle scattering

Characterization of porous materials by small-angle scattering has been extensively pursued for several years now as the pores are often of mesoscopic size and compatible with the length scale accessible by the technique using both neutrons and X-rays as probing radiation. With the availability of ultra small-angle scattering instruments, one can investigate porous materials in the sub-micron length scale. Because of the increased accessible length scale vis-a-vis the multiple scattering effect, conventional data analysis procedures based on single scattering approximation quite often fail. The limitation of conventional data analysis procedures is also pronounced in the case of thick samples and long wavelength of the probing radiation. Effect of multiple scattering is manifested by broadening the scattering profile. Sample thickness for some technologically important materials is often significantly high, as the experimental samples have to replicate all its essential properties in the bulk material. Larger wavelength of the probing radiation is used in some cases to access large length scale and also to minimize the effect of double Bragg reflections.