Neutron scattering studies of simple fluids

Abstract

Neutron scattering may be used in a variety of ways to study simple fluids, and four examples will be given. In the first the nature of the forces causing the structure of noble-gas fluids will be examined. Secondly the structure of homonuclear diatomic liquids will be considered including studies of molecular bonding. Thirdly, the structure of a relatively complicated atomic fluid, sulphur, will be reviewed. And in the fourth the properties of a model Lorentz gas—a dilute mixture of hydrogen in fluid argon—will be described. These examples show both the power and diversity of neutron results, especially when they are combined with accurate computer simulations of these fluids. Proposals for future experiments in this field will be discussed.