Abstract
A unique resolution function of angular dispersive neutron powder diffractometers, properly parametrized to be valid for a conventional instrument as well as for any of its multicrystal variants, is derived. The general formulae enable the calculation of the shapes and amplitudes of diffraction peaks for any form of scattering cross section, crystal reflectivity or collimator transmission function. The reliant analytical expressions obtained in Gaussian approximation are used in computer simulations, with different samples and single crystal monochromators, for the determination of the most convenient instrumental parameters. The results of these case studies offer reliable information that may be very useful both for designing the diffractometers and for conducting the experiments.
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