The advent of (sub)microscopic focused X-ray beams at third generation synchrotron sources has opened up possibilities for the characterisation of material structure and mechanical behaviour with unprecedented spatial resolution. Crucially, the non-destructive nature and fast rate of X-ray data collection allow in situ deformation to be studied. In this review, we concentrate on the inelastic deformation response of ductile metallic (poly)crystals. We describe a range of diffraction-based techniques we have developed including monochromatic beam reciprocal space mapping, scanning “pink” beam micro-diffraction compound topography, and white beam Laue micro-diffraction. We compare the results obtained using each of the above techniques, and assess and review the insights that they afford into micro-scale material deformation.

Synchrotron, X-ray diffraction, micro-beam, dislocation

Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK