X-ray high-resolution diffraction using refractive lenses

Refractive x-ray lenses have recently been applied for imaging and scanning microscopy with hard x rays. We report the application of refractive lenses in an optical scheme for high-resolution x-ray diffraction, performed at a high brilliance synchrotron radiation source. An experimental proof of principle and a theoretical discussion are presented. In particular, we observe the x-ray diffraction pattern from a two-dimensional photonic crystal with 4.2 mum periodicity, which normally is employed to scatter light in the infrared. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.