ABSTRACT
Vibrational spectroscopy is a commonly used technique in both industry and academia to provide both quantitative and qualitative information on molecular species and the functional groups present in them (Parker, 1995). It is equally applicable to the study of gases, liquids, crystals and amorphous solids. It is dominated by the optical techniques of infrared (photon adsorption or emission) and Raman (photon scattering) spectroscopies. The most familiar results of optical spectroscopy are the frequency eigenvalues, lV, which it provides with great accuracy. Neutron spectroscopy can also be used to measure a vibrational spectrum, but, because of the unique properties of neutrons, these spectra are different from their optical counterparts. The most obviously exploitable neutron property is its .atomic scattering potential, parameterised by the scattering cross-section. Because this potential is nuclear the ever present electrons are irrelevant, optical selection rules are irrelevant, optically black or reflective surfaces are irrelevant and photosensitivity is irrelevant. What is most relevant is the magnitude of the cross-section.
