DYNAMICS IN LIQUIDS STUDIED BY INELASTIC X-RAY-SCATTERING

Inelastic X-ray scattering with an energy resolution of the order of m illi-electron volts is a relatively new tool to investigate collective excitations in condensed matter. A high energy resolution can be achi eved by extreme backreflection (Bragg angle close to 90 degrees) from perfect crystals. This technique is used with the spectrometer INELAX for inelastic scattering experiments al DESY, Hamburg. Energy transfer s from a few milli-electron volts up to 5 eV at any wavevector between 0.3 and 14 Angstrom(-1) are accessible. One of the successful applica tions of this method is the investigation of the dynamical structure f actor of liquids. Results on liquid lithium are presented and compared with neutron data and molecular dynamics.