Theory of neutron scattering by atomic electrons: jj-coupling scheme

Abstract

Expressions are reported for the matrix element of the neutron-electron interaction for atomic electrons in a jn configuration, appropriate for palladium and platinum group compounds and rare earth and actinide materials. For the latter, f-electron systems, an isolated ion is a realistic approximation. Compact expressions are provided, together with tables of reduced matrix elements, for elastic and inelastic structure factors, and compared with the corresponding Russell-Saunders expressions. Inelastic scattering by two f-electrons, including non-equivalent states, is presented in detail.