Surfaces and Interfaces: Neutron Studies

Abstract

The many techniques that have been used to great effect to study the properties of gases adsorbed on solids have almost exclusively relied on probes that have been extremely strongly scattered by matter. The most notable example is electron scattering. The rationale is clear; a combination of radiation that is strongly scattered with an exposed surface creates a situation where the scattering is highly surface selective. Neutrons and, to a lesser extent, X-rays, are only weakly scattered by matter and it is not at all obvious that either can be an effective technique for studying interfaces. The purpose of this chapter is to show the many circumstances where neutrons, although not an obvious choice for a surface probe, do give interesting information about surfaces, and in one circumstance, specular reflection, are actually surface specific.