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Introduction to the course
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Introduction to ISIS SANS Group current staff
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Introduction to Neutron Scattering
~ Basics of neutron interactions
~ Types of experiments carried out
~ Why do we do neutron scattering
~ How neutrons are made: spallation and reactor
~ Time-of-flight and wavelength distribution -
Introduction to experimental hall and the SANS beamlines
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- SAS from different kinds of radiation (light, electrons, X-rays, neutrons)
- Momentum transfer vector, Q. How to vary Q. Relationship between Q, scattering angle, and real-space distance
- Monochromatic vs time-of-flight SANS.
- Scattering length density (SLD).
- SANS instruments.
- Instrument resolution.
- SANS variants
~ Total scattering
~ VSANS. USANS.
~ SESANS.
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Reducing data
~ Going from 2D detector image to normalised 1D data.
~ Absolute cross section per unit volume.
~ General data correction sequence.
~ ISIS data reduction sequence in Mantid.
~ Measurements at ISIS to achieve normalised data. -
Understanding data
~ Calculating absolute cross section per unit volume.
~ Form factors and structure factors.
~ Scattering invariant.
- Advantages of using neutrons to study materials.
- Science that can be done with SANS.
- Materials that can be studied with SANS.
- Case studies from ISIS SANS Group.
- Purpose of data analysis
- Data formats (including content, types, why they matter)
- Options for data analysis
- Model-fitting 101 (incl objectives, priors, optimisers, measures of fit quality)
- SasView collaboration
- Contrast variation: isotopic and perdeuteration
- Sample preparation
- Examples of biological complexes
~ Dilute protein solutions; globular and IDP in lipid mimics
~ Protein complexes
~ Protein/nucleotides complexes
~ Lipid nanoparticles - Analysis of biological SANS
~ Theory of real-space analysis
~ Shape reconstruction
~ Atomistic and coarse-grained modelling
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- Orientational distributions of particles
~ Measure the degree of orientational order
~ 2D inversion method to analyse anisotropic small-angle scattering
~ Revisit structure factor of particle assemblies (Self-assembly, partially ordered arrays of particles, mesocrystals) - Small-angle diffraction (skyrmions, flux-line lattices)
~ Ewald sphere and area detector
~ Rocking Scans
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- The different kinds of scattering (coherent, incoherent, elastic, inelastic, nuclear spin incoherent)
- Introduction to Neutron Spin, Polarisation and Magnetic Scattering
- Halpern Johnson vector
- Examples
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Preparing for measurements
~ Importance of preliminary information and being prepared.
~ Complementary techniques. Simultaneous SAXS and SANS.
~ Time scales. Kinetic SANS, histogram and event modes. -
Contrast variation
~ Neutron SLDs. Isotopic variation. Isotope effects.
~ Deuteration chemistry. Other isotopic labeling.
~ Simultaneous data fitting.
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Things to check during measurements
~ Wavelength slicing in ToF SANS.
~ Incoherent and inelastic scattering.
~ Balancing scattering and attenuation. -
Sample environments
~ What kind of samples can be studied.
~ Simple sample holders for SANS (cuvettes or no cuvettes, cans). Compare to SAXS (capillaries).
~ Simple perturbations.
~ Advanced sample environments.
- How ISIS FAPs work and how to target a proposal for them as an audience.
- Modes of access.
- Discussing experiments with local contacts.
- What to include in a proposal. What makes a good proposal.
