X-ray crystal truncation rod

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A powerful method in surface science, based on analysis of X-ray diffraction pattern from a truncated crystalline surface. For an infinite crystal the diffracted pattern is concentrated in delta function like Bragg peaks. Presence of crystalline surfaces result in additional structure along so-called truncation rod (direction in momentum space normal to the surface). Crystal Truncation Rods (CTR) measurements allow detailed determination of atomic structure at the surface, especially useful in case of oxidation, epitaxial growth and adsorption studies on crystalline surfaces.