What is it about?
The technique of neutron interferometry was used to measure the bound coherent neutron scattering length of the oxygen isotopes 17O and 18O. Our new values of b(17O) = 5.867(4) fm and b(18O) = 6.009(5) fm differ appreciably from standard tabulated values.
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Why is it important?
Neutron scattering provides a unqiue tool for investigating and undertstanding the structure and dynamics of materials. Here, it is essential to know the neutron scattering lengths of different nuclei because they govern the ability of these nuclei to scatter neutrons. Our measured scattering-length contrast of 0.204(3) fm between 18O and oxygen of natural isotopic abundance natO is nearly a factor of 6 greater than the tabulated value. This contrast makes it possible to use neutron diffraction with 18O isotope substitution and thereby offers new possibilities for measuring the structure of oxygen-containing compounds such as water.
Perspectives
The results were essential for allowing us to explore quantum effects in liquid water using neutron diffraction with 18O isotope substitution.
Professor Philip S Salmon
University of Bath
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The bound coherent neutron scattering lengths of the oxygen isotopes, Journal of Physics Condensed Matter, November 2012, Institute of Physics Publishing,
DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/24/50/505105.
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