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Dr P Chen

In this course, we will look at the characteristics of X-ray and neutron radiation, the ways in which they can be produced and how they interact with crystalline materials. We shall then explore the theory of diffraction and consider the factors that influence the position, intensity and shape of the observed diffraction peaks. We will also discuss the principles of extracting quantitative information, including phase fractions, from a diffraction pattern.

The course will then look at how diffraction can be used to assess other properties of materials, such as crystallographic texture, the evolution of strain in different crystal families and how it can be used to make non-destructive measurements of residual stresses in engineering components.

This lecture course will cover:

  • Radiation fundamentals: properties and production of X-ray and neutron radiation; atomic interactions - scattering, absorption, fluorescence, scattering factors
  • Diffraction theory: factors affecting diffraction peaks - position, intensity, shape; instrumental corrections - polarisation, Lorentz factor, axial divergence; principles of quantitative analysis
  • Diffraction from engineering materials: crystallographic texture – influence and measurement; lattice strain and the evolution of residual strain; measuring residual stresses