David Keen

Abstract:

A new approach to the reverse Monte Carlo analysis of total scattering data from polycrystalline materials is presented. The essential new feature is the incorporation of an explicit analysis of the Bragg peaks using a profile refinement, taking account of the instrument resolution function. Other new features including fitting data from magnetic materials, modelling lattice site disorder and new restraint and constraint options. The new method is demonstrated by a brief review of studies carried out during its development. The new program RMCProfile represents a significant advance in the analysis of polycrystalline total scattering data, especially where the local structure is to be explored within the true constraints of the long-range average structure. © IOP Publishing Ltd.

Abstract:

ZrW2O8 undergoes a high-pressure amorphization transition above 1.5 GPa to a phase which is recoverable to ambient conditions. Reverse Monte Carlo modeling of neutron and x-ray total scattering data from ZrW2O8 recovered from ∼4GPa shows that the large increase in density on pressurizing ZrW2O8 is accommodated within the structure by increased bonding between the WO4 tetrahedra. This increases the tungsten coordination; changes to the ZrO6 octahedral environment are not required. This densified crystal-based model, which contains significant local disorder within a distorted periodic structure, is also in reasonable agreement with x-ray and neutron total scattering data measured in situ at high pressure. © 2007 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

We describe a model-independent approach for the extraction of spin-wave dispersion curves from powder neutron total scattering data. Our approach is based on a statistical analysis of real-space spin configurations to calculate spin-dynamical quantities. The RMCPROFILE implementation of the reverse Monte Carlo refinement process is used to generate a large ensemble of supercell spin configurations from MnO powder diffraction data collected at 100 K. Our analysis of these configurations gives spin-wave dispersion curves for MnO that agree well with those determined independently using neutron triple-axis spectroscopic techniques. © 2007 The American Physical Society.