Preface
Mössbauer spectroscopy is one of the most powerful methods providing deep insight
into the atomistic nature of matter. Properties such as valence state, chemical bond,
spin state, internal magnetic field, electric field gradient, lattice vibrations, etc., were
studied for various kinds of materials. Use is made of nuclear probes, meaning
that materials can be studied nondestructively. Therefore, the method has widely
been applied to scientific research since the discovery of the Mössbauer effect in
1958. Moreover, since the first demonstration of nuclear resonance scattering of
synchrotron radiation (SR) in Hamburg in 1985, SR-based Mössbauer spectroscopy
has extensively been developed, allowing us to measure various kinds of Mössbauer spectra whose observation is impossible by using ordinary radioactive sources.
Moreover, in addition to Mössbauer spectra, the measurement of element-specific
vibrations has become possible using nuclear resonant inelastic scattering.
These cutting-edge techniques have attracted much attention in many scientific
fields such as materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, etc.
Today, we witness an interdisciplinary research community of Mössbauer spectroscopists all over the world. Extensive exchange of experience exists in this Mössbauer community by means of at least one international conference every year. We
mention the International Conference on the Applications of the Mössbauer Effect
(ICAME) organized by the International Board on the Applications of the Mössbauer Effect (IBAME) which, e.g., also guards the nomenclature used in Mössbauer
spectroscopy, the International Symposium on Industrial Applications of the Mössbauer Effect (ISIAME) and regional conference series such as LACAME in Latin
America and MECAME in the Mediterranean countries, among others. We should
also mention the Mössbauer Effect Data Center (MEDC), Dalian, China, which
is a fairly unique institute which essentially keeps track of publications involving
Mössbauer spectroscopy.
Today, we are facing a generation change with new researchers following in the
footsteps of the early pioneers of Mössbauer spectroscopy. This creates a need to
preserve and clearly present previously acquired knowledge in Mössbauer spectroscopy for new generations. We are happy with the success of our first tutorial book on Mössbauer spectroscopy (Mössbauer Spectroscopy—Tutorial Book,
v
Mössbauer spectroscopy is one of the most powerful methods providing deep insight
into the atomistic nature of matter. Properties such as valence state, chemical bond,
spin state, internal magnetic field, electric field gradient, lattice vibrations, etc., were
studied for various kinds of materials. Use is made of nuclear probes, meaning
that materials can be studied nondestructively. Therefore, the method has widely
been applied to scientific research since the discovery of the Mössbauer effect in
1958. Moreover, since the first demonstration of nuclear resonance scattering of
synchrotron radiation (SR) in Hamburg in 1985, SR-based Mössbauer spectroscopy
has extensively been developed, allowing us to measure various kinds of Mössbauer spectra whose observation is impossible by using ordinary radioactive sources.
Moreover, in addition to Mössbauer spectra, the measurement of element-specific
vibrations has become possible using nuclear resonant inelastic scattering.
These cutting-edge techniques have attracted much attention in many scientific
fields such as materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, etc.
Today, we witness an interdisciplinary research community of Mössbauer spectroscopists all over the world. Extensive exchange of experience exists in this Mössbauer community by means of at least one international conference every year. We
mention the International Conference on the Applications of the Mössbauer Effect
(ICAME) organized by the International Board on the Applications of the Mössbauer Effect (IBAME) which, e.g., also guards the nomenclature used in Mössbauer
spectroscopy, the International Symposium on Industrial Applications of the Mössbauer Effect (ISIAME) and regional conference series such as LACAME in Latin
America and MECAME in the Mediterranean countries, among others. We should
also mention the Mössbauer Effect Data Center (MEDC), Dalian, China, which
is a fairly unique institute which essentially keeps track of publications involving
Mössbauer spectroscopy.
Today, we are facing a generation change with new researchers following in the
footsteps of the early pioneers of Mössbauer spectroscopy. This creates a need to
preserve and clearly present previously acquired knowledge in Mössbauer spectroscopy for new generations. We are happy with the success of our first tutorial book on Mössbauer spectroscopy (Mössbauer Spectroscopy—Tutorial Book,
v