 Neutron spectroscopy

Neutron spectroscopy measures neutron energies or the energy changes caused by interactions with a sample. In inelastic scattering, comparing incident and outgoing energy and momentum probes excitations and motion in matter rather than only its static arrangement.

A pulsed or velocity-selected beam, a sample and detectors at known directions form a typical experiment. For a nonrelativistic outgoing neutron traveling known distance $L$ from the sample in time $t$, time of flight gives $E_f=m_n{L}^2/(2t^2)$. A known incident energy then determines the sample's energy transfer. Timing resolution, flight-path uncertainty and background limit the result. ^[ref]

Neutron spectroscopy is a technique used in condensed matter physics and materials science to study the dynamics and structure of materials at the atomic and molecular levels. It utilizes neutrons, which are neutral particles found in atomic nuclei, to probe the properties of various materials.