Texture Investigations by Neutron Time-of-Flight Diffraction

For the majority of isotopes the thermal neutron absorption cross section is two or more orders lower than that for X-rays. This makes neutron diffraction well-suited for bulk texture investigations. Some characteristics of neutron diffraction are discussed. The principles of neutron time-of-flight diffraction are described. The pole figure determination by means of TOF technique is considered. The main parameters of the present Dubna texture facility are given. Further developments of the experimental technique are considered. The application of the TOF technique for inverse pole figure measurement is discussed as an approach to direct observation of the texture forming process. The magnetic moments of neutrons can be used to study magnetic textures. Two different techniques are discussed.