Argonne National Laboratory

Physical Sciences and Engineering

Neutron and X-Ray Scattering

The Neutron and X-ray Scattering program uses a variety of scattering techniques to investigate the structure and dynamics of energy materials with properties that emerge from the presence of complex-short range correlations, defects and interfaces.
(Right) Experimentally observed neutron scattering and ab-initio calculation of the generalized susceptibility in the coherent state of CePd3. (Left) The quantitative excellent agreement validates a decades old prediction of the crossover to random electronic excitations observed at high temperature

To obtain an understanding of the critical roles of heterogeneity, interfaces and disorder in driving materials properties, we characterize and so determine the origin, nature and consequences of the different long- and short-range ordered states found in bulk compounds, thin films and heterostructures with a variety of important properties of interest. This knowledge is crucial for enabling the design of novel materials with desired functionality. Our research focuses on studies of properties that are driven by intercalation, ionic and lattice correlations, complex spin correlations and the simultaneous presence of competing spin, charge and lattice correlations. We also devise novel neutron and x-ray scattering instrumentation and methods that enable us to investigate global and local structures simultaneously over a wide range of length and time scales.

Current research themes are the following:

 

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

RECENT NEWS