Course Descriptions

BL01: INS I

The Study of Spin Dynamics using Inelastic Neutron Scattering

Inelastic neutron scattering is an experimental method that is used to observe and measure the micro-vibration (dynamics) of atoms and spins in a sample material. By observing the difference in energy between the incident and scattered neutrons, the magnitudes, distances, and directions of the forces acting between the atoms or spins in the sample can be determined.

In this course, students will receive instruction in the basic principles of inelastic neutron scattering and spin dynamics; carry out a measurement of spin-wave excitations in a magnetic material using the inelastic neutron scattering instrument 4SEASONS; and analyze the data to determine the interactions between spins in the sample.

BL02: INS II

The Study of Molecular Dynamics on the Nanosecond Timescale using Quesi-elastic Neutron Scattering

Quasi-elastic neutron scattering is considered to be one of the most effective techniques for measuring the non-periodic motion (e.g. diffusion) of atoms, molecules and spins in a material. In a number of widely-used functional materials – such as in lithium secondary batteries and fuel cells – solid state ionic conductors play an important role. In these solid state ionic conductors, the ions or hydrogen atoms are moving at a similar speed to that of in the liquid state – even at around room temperature. These dynamic motions of ions and hydrogen atoms can be measured on the nanosecond timescale using quasi-elastic neutron scattering. Of all the spectrometers currently in operation at J-PARC, only the high-resolution backscattering spectrometer, DNA, can achieve this time resolution.

In this course, students will use the DNA high-resolution spectrometer to study the hydrogen ion dynamics in a Nafion ion exchange membrane - a material that is currently used in practice in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. At the same time, students will learn how to analyze data from a typical quasielastic neutron scattering experiment.

BL03: SXD I

Using Single Crystal Neutron Diffraction to Study Bio-macromolecules

Neutron diffraction is a powerfil method for determining and studing the arrangement of atoms in crystalline materials. By measuring the so-called “Bragg reflections” that arise from neutrons scattered by single crystals, a detailed picturef the sample structure at the atominc level can be derived. The Ibaraki biological crystal diffractometer iBIX (BL03) is an instrument designed for single crystal neutron diffraction; especially targeting the study of organic small molecules and bio-macromolecules.

In this course, students will use BL03 to measure the time-of-flight neutron diffraction signal from a standard protein single crystal. They will also receive hands-on instruction on experimental methods, data reduction and structure analysis techniques with special emphasis on locating atoms of hydrogen and deuterium.

BL08: PD I

TBA

BL14: INS III

Studying the Dynamics of Liquids using Inelastic and Quasi-elastic Neutron Scattering

By carefully measuring the energy difference between incident and scattered neutrons, it is possible to determine not only the atomic or magnetic structure of a material but also probe the motion of atoms, molecules and spins (atomic magnets). This method is called inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and is a powerful technique for investigating the dynamics of materials. When the measured difference in energy is very small, the technique is known as quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS).

In this course, students will measure the slow dynamics observed in simple liquids using AMATERAS – a cold-neutron chopper spectrometer – and receive practical instruction in performing experiments and analyzing INS and QENS data collected on chopper spectrometers at pulsed neutron sources.

BL15: SWANS

Structural Analysis using the Small and Wide Angle Neutron Scattering Instrument TAIKAN

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a valuable tool in the characterization of the nanoscale structure of materials. J-PARC’s Small and Wide Angle Neutron Scattering Instrument TAIKAN can probe structures in a sample on a length scale from 0.1 nm to over 100 nm.

The following topics will be covered in this course:
- SANS using a pulsed beam
- Similarities and differences between SANS using a pulsed beam, SANS using a continuous beam and SAXS
- Diversity of sample environments
- Experimental methods and data analysis procedures using samples such as
nanoparticles, protein solutions, polymers, metals, etc.

BL16+17: NR

The Study of Surfaces and Interfaces using Neutron Reflectometry

It is well known that at surfaces and interfaces, materials often show characterstic chemical and physical behavior that is different from that seen in the bulk. Neutron reflectometry (NR) is widely used to investigate the origin of such behavior not only with a scientific view but also to exploiting surface-specific phenomena in industrial applications. NR is a powerful tool for non-destructive depth-profiling of surfaces and interfaces on the nanometer to sub-micrometre length scale.

In this course, students will carry out two types of NR experiment using the SHARAKU reflectometer: a non-polarized measurement of a polymer thin fim and a polarized-beam experiment on a thin film of iron. The obtained reflectivity profiles will be analyzed using the Parratt formalism to determine the structure of the thin films.

BL18: SXD II

Single Crystal Neutron Diffraction Study of Inorganic and Small-molecule Materials Using SENJU

In the neutron diffraction method, the arrangement of atoms in a sample can be determined and analyzed by measuring the so-called “Bragg reflections” that derive from neutrons scattered by a crystalline material. SENJU (BL18) is a single crystal diffraction instrument especially designed for the structural study of inorganic and small-molecule materials as well as magnetic structures.

In the course at BL18, students will learn the basics of time-of-flight neutron diffraction and structure analysis and experience actual measurements and data analysis.

BL19: Eng. D

Engineering Studies Using neutron diffraction

Careful analysis of the Bragg peaks in a neutron diffraction pattern can reveal important structural details of a sample material such as internal stresses phase conditions, texture etc. Such information is often crucial in engineering applications and the ability to carry out either ex-situ or in-situ measurements makes neutron diffraction particularly useful in this respect.

In this course, the basics of engineering studies using neutron diffraction will be introduced and students will participate in trial experiments using the engineering materials diffractometer (TAKUMI) and hands-on data analysis sessions.

BL20: PD II

TBA

BL21: NTS

Neutron Total Scattering

Neutron total scattering can be used to investigate the structure of amorphous systems such as liquids and glasses, and also to characterize disorder in crystalline materials. The unique feature of this technique is the use of real-space correlations – such as. pair or radial distribution functions obtained by the Fourier transformation of observed diffraction cross sections – to analyze the disordered atomic structure. The instrument for total scattering resembles a conventional powder diffractometer but is designed to obtain higher real-space resolution.

Students in this course will receive instruction in the total scattering technique; participate in a total scattering experiment using the high-intensity total diffractometer NOVA; and practice data reduction and structural analysis using real-space correlation functions.