The paper concerns the development of very powerful methods for the interpretation of grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering (GISAXS) measurements, which facilitate the very precise determination of the structural properties of spatially arranged nanoparticle materials. Although GISAXS has existed as an experimental technique for many years, until now there has not been a reliable methodology for the interpretation of GISAXS measurements with three-dimensionally arranged nanoparticles. Unlike the demanding characterization methods used thus far, which frequently did not provide reliable information, the analytical method developed provides simple, non-destructive and, very importantly, statistically reliable insight into the structure of this class of materials of the future.

Materials constructed of spatially evenly distributed nanoparticles on a nanoscale are currently the focus of intense scientific interest due to their exceptional properties and enormous possibilities for application in nanotechnology. Such materials have exceptionally great potential in the construction of high-efficiency solar cells, as a media for the extremely dense storage of information, as the basis of various detectors and other applications.

This new method for the analysis of GISAXS data is used in the determination of the structure of various nanoparticle lattices prepared at the Ruđer Bošković Institute and has demonstrated high efficiency and accuracy.