Low dimensional diffuse scattering

Low dimensional (LD) diffuse scattering is either due to LD order of crystals (meso-phases) or due to low dimensional cooperative disorder in basically 3D ordered (average) structures. Diffuse scattering may be of elastic or inelastic nature, i.e. the order/disorder phenomena may be of static or dynamic origin, respectively. Quasi-one-dimensional (1D) systems such as low dimensional conductors, inclusion compounds with channnel-like cavities, fiber-structures or two,dimensional (2D) systems, such as graphite-like layer-structures or sheet silicates, give rise to pronounced diffuse sheets (2D-) and diffuse rods (1D-Bragg "peaks"), respectively, in reciprocal space. Apart from fundamental interest in analysing LD diffuse phenomena, there is a growing interest in LD crystals and related kinetic re-ordering processes from the viewpoint of applied research. Some examples are discussed in detail.