Basic X-ray scattering for soft matter

X-ray scattering is a well-established technique in materials science. Several excellent textbooks exist in the field, typically written by physicists who use mathematics to make things clear. Often these books do not reach students and scientists in the field of soft matter (polymers, liquid crystals, colloids, and self-assembled organic systems), who usually have a chemical-oriented background with limited mathematics. Moreover, often these people like to know more about x-ray scattering as a technique to be used, but do not necessarily intend to become an expert. This volume is unique in trying to accommodate both points. The aim of the book is to explain basic principles and applications of x-ray scattering in a simple way. The intention is a paperback of limited size that people will like to have on hand rather than on a shelf. Second, it includes a large variety of examples of x-ray scattering of soft matter with, at the end of each chapter, a more elaborate case study. Third, the book contains a separate chapter on the different types of order/disorder in soft matter that play such an important role in modern self-assembling systems. Finally, the last chapter treats soft matter surfaces and thin film that are increasingly used in coatings and in many technological applications (liquid crystal displays, nanostructured block copolymer films). There is a niche for a book of this type that potentially addresses a large group of (soft matter) students and scientists.