High Resolution X-ray Diffraction

Paul A. Heiney
Physics Department and Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter
University of Pennsylvania

• Introduction
• Other Links
• What is X-ray diffraction (XRD)
  • Bragg's Law
  • Features of Electron, X-ray, or Neutron Diffraction
  • The ``Ultimate'' (Technically Challenging) Experiment
  • Powder vs. Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction
• X-ray Sources
  • Origin of X-rays
  • Generic X-ray Tube
  • Problems with Traditional X-ray Generators
  • Synchrotron
  • ``Insertion Devices:'' Wigglers and Undulators
  • What can you do with an x-ray synchrotron?
  • X-ray Facilities at the University of Pennsylvania Materials Research Laboratory
• Instrumentation for XRD: Diffractometers and Detectors
  • Slits and film
  • Monochromator-Analyzer-Scintillation Detector
  • 4-circle/Scintillation Detector: Advantages and Disadvantages
  • Parallel Readout Schemes
  • Position-Sensitive Detectors
• Case Studies
  • The first structure determination of an alkali-doped C60 compound.
  • Time-resolved Study of Silicon Annealing
  • X-ray reflection from the surface of a liquid crystal
  • In situ XRD (grazing incidence + reflectivity) of Au(111)/electrolyte interface
  • X-ray speckle interferometry with coherent X-rays
  • XRD and AFM Study of Langmuir-Blodgett Films of Star-Shaped Oligomeric Discogens

These pages contain the images and outline for a talk on techniques and applications of high-resolution x-ray diffraction that I have given several times at the University of Pennsylvania and elsewhere. It does not claim to be a complete monograph on the subject, but will hopefully be useful for those interested in a brief introduction to the subject.

Other Links

• Advanced Photon Source (APS)
• National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) (located at Brookhaven National Laboratory
• Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS)
• European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF)
• Uppsala X-ray Server
• Yahoo list of x-ray sites
• Spec software
• Crystallography Worldwide (crystallographic software).

Copyright 1995, 1996, Paul A. Heiney. Individuals should feel free to make links to this document or any images contained in it, or to make a copy for their own personal use. However, you may not further disseminate copies in electronic, printed, or any other form without the express permission of the author, and this copyright notice must appear on any copy.

Last updated December 30, 1996