Interference Between One- and Multiphonon Processes in the Scattering of Neutrons and X Rays by Crystals

Abstract

We show that the intensity of x-ray and neutron scattering by anharmonic crystals is markedly affected by the interference between one- and multiphonon scattering processes. The previously unexplained intensity modulation in the x-ray diffuse scattering from NaCl is shown by calculations to be largely of this origin. We have also observed the effect of the interference in neutron inelastic scattering from KBr; calculations give quantitative agreement with the experimental results.