Analysis of x-ray reflectivity data from low-contrast polymer bilayer systems using a Fourier method

X-ray reflectivity data of polymer bilayer systems have been analyzed using a Fourier method which takes into account different limits of integration in q-space. It is demonstrated that the interfacial parameters can be determined with high accuracy although the difference in the electron density (the contrast) of the two polymers is extremely small. This method is not restricted to soft-matter thin films. It can be applied to any reflectivity data from low-contrast layer systems. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003- 6951(00)03719-0].