Grazing-incidence scattering surveyed: towards reference methods for alignment and calibration

Grazing-incidence small-angle scattering (GISAS) is a relatively young technique with important applications in thin-film technology and untapped potential when it comes to 2D analysis on an absolute intensity scale. Approaching standardization and reference methods early is foundational for reproducibility and comparability across laboratories and reduction of systematic error sources. It underpins trust in data obtained and accelerates innovation by ensuring that scientists work from a common methodological baseline. Accordingly, obtaining reproducible results from different GISAS instruments requires an agreement on how measurements are performed, instruments calibrated and terms defined. To pave the way for standardization and reference methods, we surveyed GISAS practitioners on what comes before an experiment: hardware, software, sample alignment and instrument calibration. Twenty-two questions were designed to elucidate the state of the art, which can be used for the development of reference methods. Our data on 27 instruments provide the basis for standardization. With very few exceptions, we found laboratories prepared to implement future reference methods, but no consensus emerges naturally for sample alignment and instrument calibration. We, that is the GISAS community, are thus in a position to embark on the journey of standardization.