Neutron total scattering method: simultaneous determination of long-range and short-range order in disordered materials

Neutron total scattering provides simultaneous information about long-range order through the Bragg peaks and short-range order through the diffuse scattering. We review recent progress in applying total scattering methods for the study of short-range structural order in silicates and other materials, focussing on changes in short-range order that accompany changes in long-range order at structural phase transitions.