The neutron has unique properties that make it one of the most important probes for the study of condensed matter.
Applications range from solid state physics to chemistry to biology and materials science .
Important properties include the scattering amplitudes , which are substantial for light elements as well as heavy elements, making it possible to observe all of the atoms in a crystal with good precision and contrast between nearby elements in the periodic chart. In addition, the neutron's magnetic moment makes it sensitive to the arrangement of magnetic atoms in solids. These tools have led to some very high performance instruments, competitive with those at much higher flux neutron sources. Neutron scattering studies at MURR are supplemented with complementary tools and techniques as well. This instrument may also be used for real time studies , since 20 degrees of the diffraction pattern is measured in one observation, and the region may be repeatedly measured as structural changes progress.