Layered Synthetic Microstructures as Dispersing Devices in X-ray Spectrometers

Layered synthetic microstructures (LSM's) are useful dispersing devices for x-ray spectroscopy. They can be produced with virtually any layer spacing (d) greater than approximately 10 Å and they have high diffraction efficiency. Integral reflection coefficients for such structures made up of alternating layers of a transition metal and carbon are 3 to 10 times greater than values for other dispersing elements used in the moderate to long wavelength region of the x-ray spectrum. Resolving power of the LSMs is somewhat poorer than crystals at this time but is sufficient to permit significant applications.