Theoretical study of the paramagnetic scattering of neutrons

General paramagnetic scattering of neutrons is investigated in the situation where the orbital moment of the magnetic scattering ions is not quenched. The general relevant expression of the cross-section is given. The proceeding results are applied to rare earths and iron group ions. It is shown that if crystalline actions lift the free ion ground state degeneracy the neutron may induce transitions between the various levels, the distances of which are typically of the order of several hundred cm-1. The various scattering cross-sections (elastic and inelastic) are calculated for the rare earths in a cubic crystal field, for the holmium and erbium sesquioxide and for the anhydrous iron chloride (Cl2Fe). These cross-sections are high enough to allow for an experimental detection, thus providing a direct determination of the levels distances through the measurement of the neutron wave-length shift. Moreover it is shown that, for neodymium, holmium, erbium, the total cross-section for neutrons of one angstrom wave length is rather insensitive to the crystal field effects. The results are then compared with the available experimental studies. The influence of the orbital moment on the angular dependence of the scattering for polarised ions is then investigated. The well-known formula: I = I0sin2β is only an approximation, the validity of which is discussed. (author)