Microradian X-ray diffraction in colloidal photonic crystals

Ultra-high-resolution small-angle X-ray scattering in various colloidal photonic crystals is reported. It is demonstrated that an angular resolution of about two microradians is readily achievable at a third-generation synchrotron source using compound refractive optics. The scheme allows fast acquisition of two-dimensional X-ray diffraction data and can be realised at sample–detector separations of only a few metres. As a result, diffraction measurements in colloidal crystals with interplanar spacings larger than a micrometre, as well as determination of the range of various order parameters from the width of the Bragg peaks, are made possible.