The Real Space Correlation Function of Gaussian Chain in Spin-echo Small Angle Neutron Scattering

Abstract

The utilization of spin-echo small angle neutron scattering (SESANS) for the analysis of structures in soft matter is becoming increasingly prevalent. In this context, the Gaussian chain model and the corresponding framework for calculating the theoretical SESANS correlation function are presented briefly. This work provides a novel theoretical derivation to analytically obtain the density-density correlation function and the SESANS spatial correlation function of Gaussian chains. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship between these correlation functions and the measured neutron polarizability of SESANS. These functions possess favorable mathematical properties, rendering them directly suitable for the analysis and fitting of data obtained from polymer samples via SESANS.