Von Karman Theory Research Articles

Scattering of thermal neutrons in aluminium

Abstract In order to investigate theoretically the scattering of thermal and cold neutrons by crystals, one normally uses the Debye spectrum for the lattice vibrations and assumes the velocity of sound in the medium to be constant. Taking a more realistic model (suggested by the Born von Karman theory) for the dispersion relation and the frequency distribution function, we have here calculated the inelastic scattering cross section for cold noutrons and have shown, in the particular case of aluminium, that the results conform better with experiment. The scattering surface for long wavelength neutrons has also been obtained and it agrees well with the highly detailed calculations of Squires (1956).