3. Conclusion

Many diffraction measurements can be performed with X-rays, synchrotron radiation or neutrons. Synchrotron and neutron diffractions are several orders of magnitude more expensive, much less available and therefore not prime candidates for studies that can also be carried out with X-rays. Unlike X-rays from rotating anode tubes, the synchrotron source offers high intensity, as well as a broad spectrum ranging from short-wave X-rays (< 0.05 nm) to ultraviolet (of the order of 200 nm), only slight divergence, and a well-defined polarization state. Radiated power (full spectrum) is several orders of magnitude greater than that of conventional X-ray sources. Time-resolved studies are therefore possible. Due to the high degree of polarization of the radiation, magnetic structures can also be studied.

An important application of neutron diffraction is based on the fact...