X-ray scattering apparatus and x-ray scattering method

An X-ray scattering method carried out using an X-ray scattering apparatus (10) that comprises:

• a sample vacuum chamber (26);
• a sample holder (20) placed inside the sample vacuum chamber (26) for aligning and/or orienting a sample (18) to be analyzed by X-ray scattering;
• an X-ray beam delivery system (11) comprising a 2D X-ray source and a 2D monochromator and being arranged upstream of the sample holder (20) for generating and directing an X-ray beam along a beam path in a propagation direction (Y) towards the sample holder (20);
• an X-ray detector (22), placed inside a diffraction chamber connected to the sample vacuum chamber (26), wherein the X-ray detector (22) is arranged downstream of the sample holder (20) and is movable along the propagation direction such as to detect the X-ray beam and X-rays scattered at different scattering angles from the sample (18), wherein the X-ray beam delivery system (11) is configured to focus the X-ray beam onto a focal spot on or near the X-ray detector (22) when the X-ray detector (22) is placed at a distal position having the largest distance from the sample holder (20) or to produce a parallel beam;
• a Bonse Hart monochromator module (12) positioned upstream of the sample holder (20) and being equipped with a motorized monochromator holder;
• a Bonse Hart analyzer module (14) positioned downstream of the sample holder (20) and being equipped with a motorized analyzer holder (14a), wherein both the motorized monochromator holder and the motorized analyzer holder (14a) are configured to simultaneously position their respective modules (12, 14) in an active position in the X-ray beam for USAXS measurements and in an inactive position out of the X-ray beam for SAXS measurements, wherein the motorized analyzer holder (14a) and the motorized monochromator holder comprise separate motor drives for independent movement of the modules,
• wherein the X-ray scattering method comprises the following steps:
• moving the Bonse Hart monochromator module (12) into the X-ray beam by means of the motorized monochromator holder;
• moving the Bonse Hart analyzer module (14) out of the X-ray beam by means of the motorized analyzer holder (14a);
• and
• measuring a 2D SAXS pattern of a sample (18) mounted on the sample holder (20);
• and
• wherein the step of measuring the 2D SAXS pattern comprises a 2D to 1D data treatment comprising a prior selection of a region of interest for signal integration taking into account variation of a smearing effect with the scattering angle so as to keep the smearing effect essentially constant over a large portion of a scattering curve.