National Institute for Materials Science
Quantum Beam Center,　　Neutron Scattering Group

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X-ray/neutron powder diffraction analyses for structure parameters and 3D distribution of selections and atomic nuclei for advanced materials
Application of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and neutron scattering (SANS) to various metallic materials：
Determination of the shape- and size-distribution and dispression state of
ε-Fe3N nanoparticles and magnetic fluid
Our goal
1) Development of a multi-purpose pattern fitting software,
　　post-RIETAN2000 (made at NIMS), with maximum-entropy Pattern method

2) Eastablishment of a multi-scale characterization by neutron scattering
　　to develop novel functional (magnetic, superconducting, fuel cell, structural, etc) materials.


Features of neutron as a scientific probe
1. Large penetrative power
　　Since the neutron is an electrically neutral particle, it is deeply penetrating.

2. Discrimination ability of the isotope
　　Interact with nucleus not electron loud.

3. Interference and energy transfer effect
　　The neutrons cause pronounced interderence and enegy transfer effects
　　 in scattering experiments.

4. Very tiny magnet
　　Interaction with the internal magnetic field in the sample


Recent Research
1) Development of a new software for the structural analysis by MPF (MEM-based Pattern Fitting) method
　 Multi-purpose pattern fitting system, RIETAN-2000 as the standard structural analysis for powder diffraction data:
　　　1. Disorderd atomic configurations
　　　2. Chemical bonds
　　　3. Nonlocalized electrons
　　　4. Anharmonic thermal motion
　　　　　　　　　　　
　　　Next-generation pattern-fitting system RIETAN-FP (Dec. 2007 - )

2) Development of multi-scale Characterization technique by the labo-small angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) instrument
　　Evaluation of nano-particles with 100nm diameter in iron-based materials
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　by the newly developed labo-SAXS instrument

3) Growth of single crystals with high quality
　　　・Infrared-image furnace for the floating zone method
　　　・High-temperature furnace for the Bridgman method

4) 3D-Visualization of migration pathway for mobile ions by MPF method
　　Elucidation of migration pathway for mobile ions in solid electrolyte
　　　　 (secondary battery, solid-oxide fuel cell, proton conductor etc.)

5) Discrimination of Nanostructures in Co-Al-O Granular Films
　　　
6) Observation of Ordering of Electron Freedom (Change, Spin and Orbital)
　　　　　　　　　　Combination of Neutron and X-ray Scattering

7) General rules of isostructural phase transition in rare-earth RTAI (T=Ni, Pd) compounds



　　　

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