In Situ Synchrotron X-Ray Step-Scan Diffraction Experiments Using an Energy-Dispersive Setup

This review describes a development of an angle-dispersive step-scan diffraction technique, in which a series of energy-dispersive diffraction data are collected at various 2θ angles. The technique was developed by the GeoSoilEnviroCARS, the University of Chicago in the United States, while experiments were conducted at the SPring-8, Japan. Resultant 2-dimensional diffraction data enable us to recognize very small peaks, such as superlattice reflections. This technique is significantly useful to determine crystal symmetry from powder diffraction when X-ray access to sample is limited.