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Three‐dimensional spatially resolved neutron diffraction from a disordered vortex lattice
Author(s) -
Wang Xi,
Hanson Helen A.,
Ling Xinsheng Sean,
Majkrzak Charles F.,
Maranville Brian B.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s0021889811006790
Subject(s) - vortex , neutron scattering , physics , condensed matter physics , neutron diffraction , small angle neutron scattering , scattering , neutron , diffraction , superconductivity , lattice (music) , state of matter , structure factor , small angle scattering , optics , nuclear physics , acoustics , thermodynamics
The vortex matter in bulk type II superconductors serves as a prototype system for studying the random pinning problem in condensed matter physics. Since the vortex lattice is embedded in an atomic lattice, small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) is the only technique that allows for direct structural studies. In traditional SANS methods, the scattering intensity is a measure of the structure factor averaged over the entire sample. Recent studies in vortex physics have shown that it is highly desirable to develop a SANS technique that is capable of resolving the spatial inhomogeneities in the bulk vortex state. This article reports a novel slicing neutron diffraction technique using atypical collimation and an areal detector, which allows for observing the three‐dimensional disorder of the vortex matter inside an as‐grown Nb single crystal.