A synchrotron x-ray liquid surface spectrometer

The design of a synchrotron x-ray liquid surface spectrometer at beamline X19C at the National Synchrotron Light Source is described. This spectrometer is capable of performing the full range of x-ray surface scattering techniques. A few examples of measurements made using this spectrometer are presented, including studies of organic monolayers on the surface of water and of the structure of strongly fluctuating oil-microemulsion interfaces. The measurements discussed illustrate the accuracy, resolution, and capabilities of the spectrometer. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.