Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-condensed-matter-physics-major-option-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2018/1/c/i/solution

For neutron energy loss, . Write . The neutron dispersion , or , gives
A triangle of these wavevectors exists if
With , the requested momentum transfers have . Consequently
For example is too small even for forward scattering at these unequal neutron energies, and exceeds the backscattering maximum. This identifies accessible reciprocal lattice points, not guaranteed nonzero intensity: a one-phonon structure factor contains the atomic scattering lengths, eigenvectors and factors . A transverse eigenvector perpendicular to may be invisible, and basis interference can cause extinctions. The supplied geometry and cell constants do not specify that full intensity selection rule.

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