Neutron Compton scattering from aligned collagen fibres

We have used neutron Compton scattering (NCS) to study proton dynamics in aligned, nearly dry collagen fibres. For T=170–240 K, we have measured the average mean-square widths of the proton momentum distribution, their mean kinetic energy, and the shifts of merged Compton profile centroids due to deviations from ideal recoil. NCS provides experimental access to proton parameters which will be useful in particular for more detailed simulations of H-bonding and proton transfer processes.