Inelastic x-ray scattering from polycrystalline materials at low momentum transfer

The inelastic x-ray scattering from polycrystalline materials at low momentum transfer is analyzed with respect to the orientation-averaged acoustic phonon dispersion and the relationship between the derived sound velocities and their corresponding macroscopic entities. The effect of texturing on the sound dispersion is discussed and illustrated using the examples of hcp cobalt and hexagonal graphite. Our theoretical considerations are supported by experimental results and emphasize the importance to carefully consider the effects of elastic anisotropy when data obtained by inelastic x-ray scattering are compared or confronted with macroscopic measurements.