Grazing-angle neutron diffraction

We report the first grazing-angle neutron-diffraction experiment. By relaxing all collimations except that of the incident beam, we have obtained adequate intensity to observe simultaneously the specularly reflected and (11{}1) grazing-angle diffracted beams from the (110) surface of a large perfect silicon crystal. This measurement demonstrates that, under appropriate experimental conditions, grazing-angle neutron diffraction can be used as a probe of surface and interface structures. The technique can be used to particular advantage with those materials to which neutrons are uniquely sensitive, e.g., magnetic or hydrogen-rich thin films.