Application of neutron scattering methods for the study of superprotonic conductors

The location of protons in crystals and their dynamics are successfully studied by the methods of neutron scattering. In contrast to X-rays, the cross-section of the neutron–nucleus interaction does not have regular dependence on the atomic weight. Light atoms, like hydrogen, can scatter neutrons more effectively than heavy ones and therefore are more easily located in the structure with the help of neutron diffraction. The absence of selection rules in inelastic neutron scattering allows to observe all vibrational modes of the crystal. The anomalously large incoherent neutron scattering cross section of hydrogen in comparison to other elements considerably simplifies the interpretation of inelastic and quasielastic scattering results. In the present review examples of the complex use of different neutron scattering methods for the study of structure and dynamics of some superprotonic (with proton conductivity higher than 10 −4 Ohm −1 cm −1 ) conductors with hydrogen bonds is given.