Neutron scattering investigation of a macroscopic single crystal of a lyotropic phase

Institut für Festkörperforschung - Forschungszentrum Jülich D-52425 Jülich, Germany

Received: 12 December 1997
Accepted: 5 June 1998

Abstract

Water-rich lamellar samples of the quaternary microemulsion SDS-pentanol-water-dodecane have been prepared in form of macroscopic mono domains. The shape is given by the quartz cuvette containing the sample, the layer planes are parallel to the cuvette walls. Diffraction patterns and "rocking curves” have been obtained by neutron diffraction using a triple-axis spectrometer. Three "pseudo-Bragg peaks” have been observed, their (relative) intensities yield a new experimental access to estimate the product of the elastic constants resulting in a lower value than obtained from synchrotron investigation using peak shape fitting (Roux D. et al., Micelles, Membranes, Microemulsions and Monolayers (Springer, New York, Berlin) 1994).