Metallic (magnetic and non-magnetic) nanocrystalline materials have been known for over ten years but only recent developments in the research into those complex alloys and their metastable amorphous precursors have created a need to summarize the most important accomplishments in the field. This book is a collection of articles on various aspects of metallic nanocrystalline materials, and an attempt to address this above need.

The main focus of the papers is on the new issues that emerge in the studies of nanocrystalline materials, and, in particular, on (i) new compositions of the alloys, (ii) properties of conventional nanocrystalline materials, (iii) modeling and simulations, (iv) preparation methods, (v) experimental techniques of measurements, and (vi) different modern applications. Interesting phenomena of the physics of nanocrystalline materials are a consequence of the effects induced by the nanocrystalline structure. They include interface physics, the influence of the grain boundaries, the averaging of magnetic anisotropy by exchange interactions, the decrease in exchange length, and the existence of a minimum two-phase structure at the atomic scale.

Attention is also paid to the special character of the local atomic ordering and to the corresponding interatomic bonding as well as to anomalies and particularities of electron density distributions, and to the formation of metastable, nanocrystalline (or quasi-crystalline) phases built from exceptionally small grains with special properties. Another important focus of attention are new classes of materials which are not based on new compositions, but rather on the original and special crystalline structure in thenanoscale.

Mossbauer spectroscopy is uniquely able to probe hyperfine interactions by looking at the short-range order of resonant atoms. Materials containing an appropriate isotope as one of their constituent atoms, such as iron or tin, are readily investigated. But even materials that do not contain Mossbauer-active atoms can be investigated if the probe atoms are incorporated in minor quantities (ca. 0.1 at.-%) to act as molecular-level indicators.

These 35 papers collected here represent a state-of-the-art description of Mossbauer spectroscopy techniques applied to advanced materials. The topics covered comprise investigations of nanomaterials, nanoparticles, and quasicrystals, artificially structured materials as well as applications of Mossbauer spectroscopy in chemistry, mineralogy and metallurgy. The main aim of is the dissemination of information on research and recent developments of the method in materials science as obtained in leading Mossbauer laboratories. "

Mossbauer spectroscopy is uniquely able to probe hyperfine interactions by looking at the short-range order of resonant atoms. Materials containing an appropriate isotope as one of their constituent atoms, such as iron or tin, are readily investigated. But even materials that do not contain Mossbauer-active atoms can be investigated if the probe atoms are incorporated in minor quantities (ca. 0.1 at.-%) to act as molecular-level indicators.

These 35 papers collected here represent a state-of-the-art description of Mossbauer spectroscopy techniques applied to advanced materials. The topics covered comprise investigations of nanomaterials, nanoparticles, and quasicrystals, artificially structured materials as well as applications of Mossbauer spectroscopy in chemistry, mineralogy and metallurgy. The main aim of is the dissemination of information on research and recent developments of the method in materials science as obtained in leading Mossbauer laboratories. "

Material science is one of the most evolving fields of human activities. Invention and consequent introduction of new materials for practical and/or technological purposes requires as complete knowledge of the physical, chemical, and structural properties as possible to ensure proper and optimal usage of their new features. In order to understand the macroscopic behaviour, one has to search for their origin on a microscopic level. A good deal of microscopic information can be obtained through hyperfine interactions. Mossbauer spectroscopy offers a unique possibility for hyperfine interaction studies via probing the nearest order of resonant atoms. Materials which contain the respective isotope as one of the constituent elements (e.g., iron, tin, ... ) but also those which even do not contain them can be investigated. In the latter case, the probe atoms are incorporated into the material of interest in minor quantities (ca. 0.1 at. %) to act as probes on a nuclear level. This Workshop has covered the most evolving topics in the field of Mossbauer spectroscopy applied to materials science. During four working days, SO participants from 19 countries discussed the following areas: Chemisliy, Mineralogy and Metallurgy, Artificia/ y Structured Materials, Nanosized Materials and Quasicrvstals. and Experimental Techniques and Data Processing. A total of 42 contributions (30 keynote talks) reviewed the current state of art of the method, its applications for technical purposes, as well as trends and perspectives. A total of 39 papers are included in the present volume. Applications in Chemisfr\'.

Material science is one of the most evolving fields of human activities. Invention and consequent introduction of new materials for practical and/or technological purposes requires as complete knowledge of the physical, chemical, and structural properties as possible to ensure proper and optimal usage of their new features. In order to understand the macroscopic behaviour, one has to search for their origin on a microscopic level. A good deal of microscopic information can be obtained through hyperfine interactions. Mossbauer spectroscopy offers a unique possibility for hyperfine interaction studies via probing the nearest order of resonant atoms. Materials which contain the respective isotope as one of the constituent elements (e.g., iron, tin, ... ) but also those which even do not contain them can be investigated. In the latter case, the probe atoms are incorporated into the material of interest in minor quantities (ca. 0.1 at. %) to act as probes on a nuclear level. This Workshop has covered the most evolving topics in the field of Mossbauer spectroscopy applied to materials science. During four working days, SO participants from 19 countries discussed the following areas: Chemisliy, Mineralogy and Metallurgy, Artificia/ y Structured Materials, Nanosized Materials and Quasicrvstals. and Experimental Techniques and Data Processing. A total of 42 contributions (30 keynote talks) reviewed the current state of art of the method, its applications for technical purposes, as well as trends and perspectives. A total of 39 papers are included in the present volume. Applications in Chemisfr\'.

Metallic (magnetic and non-magnetic) nanocrystalline materials have been known for over ten years but only recent developments in the research into those complex alloys and their metastable amorphous precursors have created a need to summarize the most important accomplishments in the field. This book is a collection of articles on various aspects of metallic nanocrystalline materials, and an attempt to address this above need. The main focus of the papers is put on the new issues that emerge in the studies of nanocrystalline materials, and, in particular, on (i) new compositions of the alloys, (ii) properties of conventional nanocrystalline materials, (iii) modeling and simulations, (iv) preparation methods, (v) experimental techniques of measurements, and (vi) different modern applications. Interesting phenomena of the physics of nanocrystalline materials are a consequence of the effects induced by the nanocrystalline structure. They include interface physics, the influence of the grain boundaries, the averaging of magnetic anisotropy by exchange interactions, the decrease in exchange length, and the existence of a minimum two-phase structure at the atomic scale. Attention is also paid to the special character of the local atomic ordering and to the corresponding interatomic bonding as well as to anomalies and particularities of electron density distributions, and to the formation of metastable, nanocrystalline (or quasi-crystalline) phases built from exceptionally small grains with special properties. Another important focus of attention are new classes of materials which are not based on new compositions, but rather on the original and special crystalline structure in the nanoscale.