Condensed matter research at the modernized IBR-2 reactor: from functional materials to nanobiotechnologies
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ndensed Matter Research at the Modernized IBR-2 Reactor: from Functional Materials to Nanobiotechnologies V. L. Aksenov, A. M. Balagurov, and D. P. Kozlenko Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Moscow oblast, 141980 Russia e-mail: [email protected] Abstract―An overview of the main scientific areas of condensed matter research, which are extended with the use of the IBR-2 high-flux research reactor, is presented. It is demonstrated that the spectrometer facility of the upgraded reactor has great potential for studying the structural, magnetic, and dynamical properties of novel functional materials and nanobiosystems, which ensures the leading position of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in neutron research of condensed matter for the long-term prospect. DOI: 10.1134/S106377961604002X
INTRODUCTION Unique features of the methods of neutron scattering cause a constantly increasing interest in their use in interdisciplinary research [1]. The neutron methods of condensed matter research have a number of significant advantages relative to other methods, including those connected with using X-ray and synchrotron radiation [2]. Owing to the fact that neutrons in the process of scattering interact with nuclei rather than with electron shells, a scattering length of a neutron can strongly vary for isotopes of the same element. This peculiarity formed the basis of the method of isotopic contrast, which provides wide possibilities of the thorough analysis of salient features of the structural construction of hydrogen-containing systems— including crystalline materials, polymers, biological systems, organic and water solutions—with significantly higher precision as compared with methods of scattering of X-ray and synchrotron radiation. Due to a weak interaction with matter, the neutron research can be conducted even with delicate biological systems without their destruction during the experiment. The fact that a neutron has its intrinsic magnetic moment causes the magnetic scattering whose intensity is comparable with the nuclear scattering. Therefore methods of neutron scattering now remain the most direct and informative way for determining a magnetic structure of materials both in the ordinary bulk state and in the nanostructured state, including thin films and heterostructures. Being an electrically neutral particle, a neutron has high penetrating ability. Therefore, methods of neutron scattering allow one to obtain volumetric characteristics of the investigated materials even under conditions of using complex devices surrounding the sam-
ple, such as cryostats, heaters, high-pressure chambers, burners, and electromagnets. As it is evident from the above, methods of neutron scattering have indisputable advantages in studying properties of the nanosystems and materials containing hydrogen and other light atoms (Li, O, …), the isotopic nanomaterials, the magnetic nanosystems, and the biological and polymer objects on the nanolevel. Let us note that investigations of functional
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