Method of analysis of multiphonon and multiple-scattering effects in inelastic neutron scattering experiments

We present experimental results of inelastic neutron scattering experiments on a Ti–Zr alloy, together with total cross section measurements. A method of analysis of inelastic neutron scattering experiments is proposed, aimed at obtaining a correctly normalized density of phonon states. This method makes use of total cross section data as a necessary normalization condition. Furthermore, it is shown that with the concurrent use of both techniques, reliable values of the mean-square displacement of the atoms are obtained. This method is particularly useful in the case of incoherent scatterers like the present one, where diffraction methods fail to provide such information. The need to elaborate different strategies for data processing according to the employed spectrometer is emphasized.