Inelastic coherent neutron scattering by small particles

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Abstract
The coherent scattering function S(k, omega ) is calculated for density fluctuations in spherical, fluid particles for wavelengths long compared with the interatomic spacing (small k). A model with rigid boundary conditions displays distinct peaks at non-zero frequencies omega , which arise from the excitation of the compressional normal modes of the particle. Surface tension effects are shown to be minimal in the range of frequencies of interest in neutron scattering, and a droplet behaves therefore as a particle with a free surface. A third example studied should be a reasonable model of a simple, spherical virus. The protein shell is modelled by an elastic shell and the effect on the response of the nucleic acid is calculated. It is concluded that neutron scattering can be used to study the internal motions of viruses, and measurements should provide information on the physical properties of the nucleic acid and protein shell.

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