Erik Geissler - Böcker

HERCULES is a course on the underlying principles and methods of neutron and synchrotron radiation techniques used in scientific research, constructed around laboratory practicals, tutorials and lectures and designed for biologists, chemists, geologists and physicists. This volume, the fourth in the HERCULES series, is the basis of the lecture course describing the theory and practice of techniques using either thermal neutrons or X- rays from a synchrotron source applied to the modern problems of biology. The themes treated are the crystallographic determination of protein structure, protein dynamics and partially ordered systems. A fourth section on more specialized topics includes spectroscopic techniques, X-ray microscopy, neutron spin polarization contrast methods and investigations of more complex molecules. Each chapter describes a different aspect of the subject, and the contributors are international authorities in their field. The book will be of use not only to beginners, but also, owing to the breadth of its scope, for experienced practitioners.

Neutron and X-Ray Spectroscopy delivers an up-to-date account of the principles and practice of inelastic and spectroscopic methods available at neutron and synchrotron sources, including recent developments. The chapters are based on a course of lectures and practicals (the HERCULES course at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) delivered to young scientists who require these methods in their professional careers. Each chapter, written by a leading specialist in the field, introduces the basic concepts of the technique and provides an overview of recent work. This volume, which focuses on spectroscopic techniques in synchrotron radiation and inelastic neutron scattering, will be a primary source of information for physicists, chemists and materials scientists who wish to acquire a basic understanding of these techniques and to discover the possibilities offered by them. Emphasizing the complementarity of the neutron and X-ray methods, this tutorial will also be invaluable to scientists already working in neighboring fields who seek to extend their knowledge.