X-ray dynamical diffraction Talbot effect behind a crystal in free space

Acta Crystallogr A Found Adv. 2021 Mar 1;77(Pt 2):149-159. doi: 10.1107/S2053273321001029. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Abstract

The dynamical diffraction Talbot effect takes place inside a crystal, when a periodic object is illuminated by a plane or spherical X-ray wave which then falls on the crystal at an angle close to the Bragg angle for some reflection. Both theoretical consideration and numerical calculations show that the dynamical diffraction Talbot effect also takes place behind the crystal. The effect is accompanied by the dynamical diffraction pendulum effect and wave focusing. Expressions are found for the dynamical diffraction Talbot distance for areas before and after focusing. The spatial Fourier spectrum of the periodic object is obtained on the focusing plane. Detailed analysis when the periodic object is illuminated by a plane wave has shown new features of this effect. The dynamical diffraction Talbot effect in free space can be used to determine the structure of a periodic object, to determine the structure of an arbitrary object placed before or after the periodic object, and to determine structural defects and deformations of the crystal.

Keywords: Talbot effect; X-rays; crystals; dynamical diffraction.