Neutron spin-echo

Other possible direct probes are optical experiments similar to studies [113] of vesicles but expanded towards shorter A (20-30 A). Alternatively neutron spin-echo studies of stacked bilayer arrays, which can probe the 10-30 A range [114], might possibly be applicable here. Finally, the x-ray grazing-incidence technique has been shown to be a powerful tool for studying short wavelength fluctuations at fluid interfaces [100]. The application of this technique to the investigation of membrane surface fluctuations can reasonably be expected in the near future [115,116]. 

Ewen, B, Richter, Da Neutron Spin Echo Investigations on the Segmental Dynamics of Polymers in Melts, Networks and Solutions. VoL 134, pp, 1-130. 

In this review we consider large-scale polymer motions which naturally occur on mesoscopic time scales. In order to access such times by neutron scattering a very high resolution technique is needed in order to obtain times of several tens of nanoseconds. Such a technique is neutron spin echo (NSE), which can directly measure energy changes in the neutron during scattering [32,33]. 

Neutron Spin Echo Investigations on the Segmental Dynamics... 

Fig. 2. Schematic representation of a neutron spin-echo spectrometer. (Reprinted with permission from [12]. Copyright 1987 Vieweg and Sohn Verlagsgemeinschaft, Wiesbaden)...

Fig. 3. The neutron spin echo spectrometer IN11 at the ILL Grenoble. The two large coils producing the precession fields are clearly visible (Photograph was kindly given to us by H. Biittner, Scientific Coordination Office of the Institute Laue-Langevin Grenoble).

This section presents results of the space-time analysis of the above-mentioned motional processes as obtained by the neutron spin echo technique. First, the entropically determined relaxation processes, as described by the Rouse model, will be discussed. We will then examine how topological restrictions are noticed if the chain length is increased. Subsequently, we address the dynamics of highly entangled systems and, finally, we consider the origin of the entanglements. 

Fig. 4. Neutron spin echo spectra for the self-(above) and pair-(below) correlation functions obtained from PDMS melts at 100 °C. The data are scaled to the Rouse variable. The symbols refer to the same Q-values in both parts of the figure. The solid lines represent the results of a fit with the respective dynamic structure factors. (Reprinted with permission from [41]. Copyright 1989 The American Physical Society, Maryland)...

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