Finally, the energies of very small excitations of condensed matter (crystals, liquids) important not only in physics but particularly in biology, chemistry and materials sciences can also be measured by inelastic X-ray scattering. This new technology is expected to become a standard diagnostic method in these disciplines.

Inhalt
Basic considerations.- X-ray sources.- The INELAX instrument.- Other approaches to inelastic X-ray scattering.- Applications of inelastic X-ray scattering.- The future of the technique.- Final remarks.