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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]

For pioneering neutron scattering techniques for studying condensed matter, Bertram Neville Brockhouse received one half for developing neutron spectroscopy, while Clifford Glenwood Shull received one half for developing neutron diffraction.^[ref]