Diffraction

From DANSE

Diffraction

The knowledge of atomic scale structure is a prerequisite to understanding materials and condensed matter. Single crystal and powder diffraction by x-rays and neutrons are the sine qua non of structure solution and refinement – diffraction methods have been applied ubiquitously in structural studies with spatial scales from sodium chloride to proteins and on up to viruses. These techniques are used by chemists, biochemists, biologists, earth scientists, physicists, engineers and materials scientists.

An enormous number of scientists regularly use x-ray diffraction for structural analyses and sample characterization, and neutron diffraction is a natural extension of their work. For this large group of potential new users to make a smooth transition to neutron diffraction research, the data analysis software should be as flexible, powerful, and convenient as what they expect from conventional in-house and synchrotron-based x-ray facilities. A major objective of the diffraction subproject will be to provide basic structure determination, refinement and visualization tools that are easy to use and have a low entry barrier for non-specialists in neutron diffraction.