Condensed Matter Physics Using Nuclear Resonant Scattering

Mossbauer spectroscopy is a powerful and well-established method used in a wide variety of scientific applications. An outstanding feature of this method is that element specific information on electronic and phonon states can be obtained. The use of high-brilliance synchrotron radiation as an excitation source for Mossbauer measurements enables measurements to be recorded under extreme conditions such as high pressures, very high or very low temperatures, and strong external magnetic fields. In addition, the tunability of synchrotron radiation energy allows a wide range of nuclides to be used. Moreover, the use of synchrotron radiation enables the measurement of the element- and site-specific phonon density of states. Another unique property of the method is the narrow energy width of the nuclear excited states, due to which the method is an effective tool for studying the slow dynamics of soft matter and glass transitions. The concepts and methods involved in these measurements are introduced and discussed, and the unique features of the methods are highlighted.