Report on a round-robin study of diffuse X-ray scattering

The diffuse scattering in a volume in reciprocal space from NbC_0.72 was measured on an absolute scale at two synchrotron sources (in the US and in Japan) and with a high-intensity rotating-anode source (in Japan). The shape and actual absolute intensities agreed to a few percent. Special problems associated with such measurements at a synchrotron are noted, especially with an insertion device. The high resolution possible at such sources reduces the need for an evacuated sample chamber. Detailed measurements can be completed in 1-2 d, making such studies much more accessible than is possible with sealed-tube X-ray generation.