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Introducing Photons, Neutrons and Muons for Materials Characterisation
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:22:22
Abstract
The course takes place at the campus of the Paul Scherrer Institute. The program consists of introductory lectures on the use of photons, neutrons and muons for materials characterization, as well as tours of the large scale facilities of PSI.
Objective
The aim of the course is that the students acquire a basic understanding on the interaction of photons, neutrons and muons with matter and how one can use these as tools to solve specific problems.
Content
The course runs for one week in June (19th to 23rd). It takes place at the campus of the Paul Scherrer Institute. The morning consists of introductory lectures on the use of photons, neutrons and muons for materials characterization. In the afternoon tours of the large scale facilities of PSI (Swiss Light Source, Swiss Spallation Neutron Source, Swiss Muon Source, Swiss Free Electron Laser), are foreseen, as well as in-depth visits to some of the instruments. At the end of the week, the students are required to give an oral presentation about a scientific topic involving the techniques discussed. Time for the presentation preparations will be allocated in the afternoon. • Interaction of photons, neutrons and muons with matter • Production of photons, neutrons and muons • Experimental setups: optics and detectors • Crystal symmetry, Bragg’s law, reciprocal lattice, structure factors • Elastic and inelastic scattering with neutrons and photons • X-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism • Polarized neutron scattering for the study of magnetic materials • Imaging techniques using x-rays and neutrons • Introduction to muon spin rotation • Applications of muon spin rotation
Resources
Lecture Notes
Slides from the lectures will be available on the internet prior to the lectures.
Literature
• Philip Willmott: An Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation: Techniques and Applications, Wiley, 2011 • J. Als-Nielsen and D. McMorrow: Elements of Modern X-Ray Physics, Wiley, 2011. • G.L. Squires, Introduction to the Theory of Thermal Neutron Scattering, Dover Publications (1997). • Muon Spin Rotation, Relaxation, and Resonance, Applications to Condensed Matter" Alain Yaouanc and Pierre Dalmas de Réotier, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780199596478 • “Physics with Muons: from Atomic Physics to Condensed Matter Physics”, A. Amato https://www.psi.ch/lmu/EducationLecturesEN/A_Amato_05_06_2018.pdf
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 25
- Signup End
- 19.03.2023
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Introducing Photons, Neutrons and Muons for Materials Characterisation
This block course takes place at the PSI Campus from June 19 to June 23, 2023.
Registration at PSI website (
) required by March 19, 2023.
|
No time listed | 40 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Elective Courses (The students are free to choose individually from the entire course offer of ETH Zürich on the Master level. Please consult the study administration in case of questions.)
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