Collection of reciprocal space maps using imaging plates at the Australian National Beamline Facility at the Photon Factory

Abstract

Weissenberg screens and a translating cassette have been employed to allow an imaging plate to collect 30 scans per readout. In this configuration the imaging plate functions as a curved one-dimensional position-sensitive detector and, by changing the sample angle for each of the scans, two-dimensional images were produced in reciprocal space. This method of data collection leads to a reduction in scan time compared with methods based on a scintillation detector, particularly for asymmetric reflections. The data-collection method was tested using InGaN/GaN/AlN multilayers on sapphire substrates, since these exhibit broad features in reciprocal space. The geometry of the scans in reciprocal space required the data to be interpolated onto a Cartesian grid. Several interpolation schemes were investigated, with the results compared with the reciprocal space maps collected using a triple-axis scheme with a point detector. The quality of the interpolated reciprocal space maps depends upon the size and shape of the feature in reciprocal space, the interpolation method used, and the step size of the sample rotation. The method can be extended to three dimensions without an increase in data-collection time.