This review is devoted to polarization phenomena observed in the x-ray range. It is noted that x-ray polarization effects are due to two physical factors, namely, the diffraction of x-rays and the anisotropy of the x-ray susceptibility of atoms in crystals. Diffraction-induced birefringence, dichroism, and change in polarization state are very dependent on the degree of imperfection of the crystal. Effects associated with the anisotropy of x-ray susceptibility, which have not been adequately investigated so far, are discussed in some detail. The anisotropy can lead to a qualitatively new effect, namely, the appearance of additional reflections with unusual polarization properties that provide information about crystal structure and chemical bonding. Magnetic scattering of synchrotron x-rays has become a powerful tool for the investigation of magnetic ordering in crystals. Practical applications discussed in this review include different modern x-ray polarizers, analyzers, and quarter-wave plates for obtaining and analyzing circular polarizations.

PT Journal Article
TI Polarization phenomena in x-ray optics
AU Belyakov V A
FAU Belyakov VA
AU Dmitrienko V E
FAU Dmitrienko VE
DP 10 Aug, 1989
TA Phys. Usp.
VI 32
IP 8
PG 697-719
RX 10.1070/PU1989v032n08ABEH002748
URL https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1989/8/d/
SO Phys. Usp. 1989 Aug 10;32(8):697-719