The use of neutron diffraction in the study of the properties of matter

In recent years neutron diffraction became an important tool in the study
of the properties of matter. In structure research it is used to complete the information of X-ray diffraction measurements. To illustrate this, some examples will be given of recent investigations on carbides, cyanides, and oxides of heavier elements, where the neutron measurements have allowed either to determine the positions of the light atoms or to correct or refine earlier X-ray measurements. Neutrons have also been used in the study of the physical structure of materials. In this connection some measurements on preferential orientation and grain size will be described. However, the study of magnetic structures is perhaps the most specific topic for neutron diffraction techniques. It is mainly in this field that measurements have been made at the Mol laboratory. Some experiments on perovskite-like compounds will be described.