New approach to the study of nuclear Bragg scattering of synchrotron radiation

Nuclear Bragg scattering of synchrotron radiation from isotopically enriched ⁵⁷Fe₂{O}₃$ has been observed at a signal-to-noise ratio of 100:1 without delayed-coincidence techniques. The use of a high-resolution premonochromator providing a 5-meV energy spread and 0.4'' collimation allows for high-resolution studies of dynamical diffraction effects. In particular, the observed intensity of the pure nuclear (7,7,7) reflection implies a dramatic decrease of the effective lifetime due to coherent scattering.