Diffuse Mössbauer Scattering Applied to Dynamics of Phase Transformations

Abstract

Bcc Zr-20% Nb has a lattice instability, forming the so-called hexagonal $\omega$ phase. We show that it is possible to measure diffusely scattered Mössbauer $\gamma$ rays associated with this transformation and determine whether this scattering is energy shifted. The results strongly suggest a dynamical aspect to the transformation and indicate that Mössbauer scattering can be a significant complement to inelastic neutron diffraction techniques.