Beyond the International Year of Crystallography

A new editorial from the three Main Editors of Journal of Applied Crystallography (JAC) updates authors and readers, alike, on current JAC developments.

Comparison of silver and molybdenum microfocus X-ray sources for single-crystal structure determination

A detailed comparison of single-crystal diffraction data collected with Ag Kα and Mo Kα microsources (IµS) indicates that the Ag Kα data are better when absorption is significant. Empirical corrections intended to correct for absorption also correct well for the effects of the highly focused IµS beams.

Special directions in momentum space. III. Practical applications

This paper, in which new sets of special directions (SDs) for cubic structures are proposed, is devoted mainly to practical applications of SDs. Taking into account experimental uncertainty, an optimal strategy for experimental investigations is discussed.

Nanoparticle characterization by continuous contrast variation in small-angle X-ray scattering with a solvent density gradient

A novel approach to contrast variation with small-angle X-ray scattering based on the constitution of a solvent density gradient in a glass capillary is presented and used to characterize the mean size and size distribution of a colloid dispersion as well as to determine the electron density distribution of the suspended nanoparticles.

Electron diffraction patterns from scroll nanotubes: interpretation peculiarities

The peculiarities of scroll nanotube structure and associated diffraction effects in the context of electron diffraction are described. Diffraction identification criteria for distinguishing scroll nanotubes from coaxial tubes are proposed. Simulation of electron diffraction patterns from scroll nanotubes is performed for comparative studies with experimental patterns.

Crystalline characteristics and superconducting properties of Bi2212 thin films prepared by the Pechini sol–gel method: the effect of different substrates on the film growth

The effect of different substrates on the crystalline characteristics and superconducting properties of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ (Bi2212) thin films prepared by the Pechini sol–gel method was investigated.

Interpretation of two-dimensional real-space functions obtained from small-angle scattering data of oriented microstructures

Two-dimensional real-space functions obtained from small-angle scattering patterns contain valuable information on the size, shape and internal microstructure of materials.

Ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering study of second-phase particles in heat-treated Zircaloy-4

The ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) technique is used to investigate and quantify second-phase particles in Zircaloy-4 under various heat-treatment conditions. Transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopy are also used to interpret and substantiate the results from USAXS experiments.

KWS-1 high-resolution small-angle neutron scattering instrument at JCNS: current state

A description of the KWS-1 small-angle neutron scattering diffractometer at the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) and its scientific application is provided.

X-ray diffraction grazing-incidence methods applied for gradient-free residual stress profile measurements in electrodeposited Ni coatings

Grazing-incidence-angle versus conventional sin²ψ X-ray diffraction analysis techniques applied to resdiual stress measurements are investigated in terms of bias assessment and applicability.

An in situ powder diffraction cell for high-pressure hydrogenation experiments using laboratory X-ray diffractometers

An in situ powder diffraction cell for laboratory instruments is introduced, which allows studies to be carried out under elevated gas pressures and temperatures.

Computing stoichiometric molecular composition from crystal structures

An algorithm to compute stoichiometrically correct molecular formulae from crystal structures is proposed. The algorithm's output is suitable for high-volume automated searches in chemical databases and for linking crystallographic and chemical information.

Investigating time-of-flight spin-echo modulation for small-angle neutron scattering through experiments and simulation

A comparison between an experimental setup and simulations of a spin-echo-modulated small-angle neutron scattering instrument reveals important information on how to obtain the highest contrast by fulfilling the spin-echo condition.

Crystallographic analysis of slip transfer mechanisms across the ferrite/cementite interface in carbon steels with fine lamellar structure

Crystallographic analyses of deformation transfer mechanisms across the ferrite/cementite interface in fine lamellar pearlite are presented. Slip planes and Burgers vectors of full and partial dislocations in cementite have been proposed on the basis of the results of atomistic simulations of stacking faults for some planes of cementite.

Determining the Bravais lattice using a single electron backscatter diffraction pattern

A technique for the ab initio derivation of the Bravais lattice from the Kikuchi bands detected from a single electron backscatter diffraction pattern has been successfully developed.

Towards multi-order hard X-ray imaging with multilayer zone plates

Multilayer zone plates can be used for holographic imaging without an order-sorting aperture.

Design study of a Laue lens for nuclear medicine

A detailed design study for the employment of a Laue lens in nuclear medicine is presented. The study facilitates a thorough understanding of how each system parameter affects the efficiency, the resolution and the field of view of the lens. The study has been carried out both analytically and through simulations performed with a custom-made Monte Carlo code.

Structural and microstructural interpretations of Zn-doped biocompatible bone-like carbonated hydroxyapatite synthesized by mechanical alloying

Single-phase biocompatible bone-like nanocrystalline Zn-doped A-type carbonated hydroxyapatite (A-cHAp) has been synthesized by mechanical alloying of a mixture of CaCO₃, CaHPO₄·2H₂O and ZnO powders. Zn²⁺ cations are substituted at the ninefold-coordinated Ca²⁺ sites in the A-cHAp unit cell.

Use of radial symmetry for the calculation of cylindrical absorption coefficients and optimal capillary loadings

Methods for numerically evaluating cylindrical absorption corrections that fully utilize radial symmetry to simplify distance calculations are presented. An analysis of the resulting data suggests that the best quality transmission diffraction data will generally be obtained when strongly absorbing samples are diluted by a factor of F = (4/3)μR in a maximal radius capillary (μ is the linear absorption coefficient for the sample and R is the capillary radius).

Laboratory implementation of X-ray diffraction/scattering computed tomography

Diffraction/scattering computed tomography was achieved using a laboratory diffractometer, making this technique available to a broader scientific community.

A new parallel and GPU version of a TREOR-based algorithm for indexing powder diffraction data

A new parallel and GPU version of a TREOR-based algorithm for indexing powder diffraction data is presented.

Modelling pair distribution functions (PDFs) of organic compounds: describing both intra- and intermolecular correlation functions in calculated PDFs

A new method has been developed for calculating pair distribution functions (PDFs) of organic compounds. The approach distinguishes between intra- and intermolecular atom–atom distances and results in an improved fit to the experimental PDF curves.

Ferroelasticity of SrCo_0.8Fe_0.2O_3–δ perovskite-related oxide with mixed ion–electron conductivity

With the help of group-theoretical analysis and a transmission electron microscopy study of domain orientation as well as the domain switching under mechanical load, the ferroelastic nature of the perovskite–brownmillerite phase transition in SrCo_0.8Fe_0.2O_2.5 oxide with mixed ion–electron conductivity is revealed.

A generalized geometric approach to anisotropic peak broadening due to domain morphology

A geometric approach to describe and refine anisotropic domain morphology in common Rietveld refinements is provided and implemented in the TOPAS environment. The approach provides physically valid descriptions for the effect on peak broadening of three geometric models and allows a direct interpretation of refined parameters.

Mechanism of preferential nucleation of []-oriented GaN twins on an SiO₂-patterned m-plane sapphire substrate

The mechanism of preferential nucleation of []-oriented GaN faceted twins on an SiO₂-patterned m-plane sapphire substrate is proposed, which explains the experimental results well.

Real structure of Ge₄Bi₂Te₇: refinement on diffuse scattering data with the 3D-ΔPDF method

The real structure of metastable Ge₄Bi₂Te₇ is elucidated with the three-dimensional difference pair distribution function (3D-ΔPDF) method. It can be explained as derived from the rocksalt type by layer-like vacancy ordering.

EBSD analysis of rhombohedral twinning in hematite crystals of naturally deformed iron formations

An EBSD-based crystallographic technique for the determination of angle–axis pairs of misorientation for twinning is developed and applied to rhombohedral twinning in hematite, which yielded 85°〈〉 as an alternative symmetry description.

Towards neutron scattering experiments with sub-millisecond time resolution

In list mode metadata can be included in the neutron event stream in order to achieve high time resolution of neutron scattering experiments in repeatable processes. Combining large amplitude oscillatory shear rheology and reflectometry illustrates the advantages and limitations of this new technique.

A microfabricated fixed path length silicon sample holder improves background subtraction for cryoSAXS

A fixed path length sample holder for cryoSAXS was microfabricated and tested. The holder has superior scattering properties, holds sub-microlitre sample volumes and solves many of the issues associated with previous non-fixed path length sample holders for cryoSAXS.

Structure and stacking order in crystals of asymmetric dumbbell-like colloids

The crystalline structure formed by charged-stabilized asymmetric dumbbell-like colloidal particles was studied using small-angle X-ray scattering with microradian resolution. It was found that the crystals contain only 1.5% of stacking faults, which is a very high degree of stacking order for colloidal crystals. The high lattice symmetry indicates that these were plastic crystals, in which asymmetric colloidal particles are able to rotate freely.

Calibration and data collection protocols for reliable lattice parameter values in electron pair distribution function studies

Different protocols for calibrating electron pair distribution function measurements are explored and described for quantitative studies on nanomaterials.

Diffuse X-ray scattering from ion-irradiated materials: a parallel-computing approach

Two-dimensional reciprocal space maps from irradiated single crystals with realistic defect structures are computed using a Monte Carlo approach. The calculations are accelerated using multiprocessing and GPU computing.

Structural investigations of the α₁₂ Si–Ge superstructure

X-ray diffraction-based structural analysis results of possible direct bandgap Si/Ge superlattices composed of monolayer thin deposits are presented, together with theoretical predictions and first optical measurements.

Full-field energy-dispersive powder diffraction imaging using laboratory X-rays

A laboratory instrument with the ability to spatially resolve energy-dispersed X-ray powder diffraction patterns taken in a single snapshot has been developed. The experimental arrangement is based on a pinhole camera coupled with a pixelated spectral X-ray detector.

Neutron Laue diffraction study of the complex low-temperature magnetic behaviour of brownmillerite-type Ca₂Fe₂O₅

An unusual low-temperature magnetic anomaly in Ca₂Fe₂O₅ has been investigated by single-crystal neutron Laue diffraction under zero- and low-magnetic field (35 Oe = 35 × 10³/4π A m⁻¹) conditions using a custom-designed sample environment.

A custom battery for operando neutron powder diffraction studies of electrode structure

This paper describes the design and use of a custom battery for operando neutron powder diffraction, providing guidance for researchers studying the phase evolution and structure of electrode materials using this approach. Example studies and results are given.

In situ bending of an Au nanowire monitored by micro Laue diffraction

The in situ three-point bending of a single self-suspended Au nanowire is visualized by micro Laue diffraction. The nanowire deflection is inferred from the displacement of Laue spots and it is well described by finite element analysis taking into account geometric nonlinearities and the elastic constants of bulk Au.

High-efficiency diffraction and focusing of X-rays through asymmetric bent crystalline planes

A self-standing curved Ge crystal focused hard X-rays by diffraction in Laue geometry through asymmetric (220) bent planes. The sample showed diffraction performance better than for any mosaic crystal under equal conditions.

The NeXus data format

A description is presented of the NeXus data format for X-ray and neutron scattering and muon spectroscopy.

Crystal structure determination and refinement via SIR2014

The program SIR2014 for crystal structure solution is described.

An optical chopper for generation of short X-ray pulses to allow in-house time-resolved photocrystallography. Corrigendum

Corrigendum to J. Appl. Cryst. (2014), 47, 1765–1768.

Elastic macro strain and stress determination by powder diffraction: spherical harmonics analysis starting from the Voigt model. Corrigenda

Corrections to the paper by Popa, Balzar & Vogel [J. Appl. Cryst. (2014), 47, 154–159] are provided.

An X-ray diffractometer using mirage diffraction. Erratum

Errors in the article by Fukamachi, Jongsukswat, Ju, Negishi, Hirano & Kawamura [J. Appl. Cryst. (2014), 47, 1267–1272] are corrected.