Grazing-incidence x-ray diffraction analysis at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

After a brief introduction to the interaction of X-rays with surfaces and i nterfaces we present in this paper the basic principles of the technique an d an introduction to oxide surfaces and metal/oxide interfaces. We show tha t this technique is well adapted to these materials and allows one to addre ss precisely various questions like surface relaxation, surface reconstruct ion and the growth of thin films. Examples of recent experiments performed on different beamlines of the ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility ) are given in order to illustrate the different possibilities.