Rutherford backscattering

Rutherford backscattering is a technique used to analyze the composition and structure of materials by firing a beam of energetic particles, like alpha particles, at a sample. When these particles hit atoms in the material, they can bounce back, or “scatter,” at various angles. By measuring how many particles scatter and at what angles, scientists can determine the types of atoms present, their distribution, and depth within the material. This method helps us understand surface and near-surface properties of materials, often used in material science and nanotechnology research.