The book is a collection of articles covering basic crystallography, local texture measurements with high energy synchrotron radiation, evolution of textures, texture mapping by scanning X-ray diffraction, absorption tomography for three dimensional measurements in bulk materials, ultra thin films specular X-ray reflectivity, small angle X-ray scattering, glancing incidence X-ray diffraction and X-ray line profile analysis. A large number of chapters cover the application of the Rietveld refinement technique for different materials. The application of high temperature X-ray diffraction to different materials is also discussed. Apart from this the application of X-ray diffraction techniques to characterize the materials is dealt with in different areas; such as magnetic materials, nano materials, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, biomaterials, forensic application of textile fabrics, sensors, steels and surface modifications. It also covers the geometrical aspects of X-ray diffractometer and related applications. IOS Press is an international science, technical and medical publisher of high-quality books for academics, scientists, and professionals in all fields. Some of the areas we publish in: • Biomedicine • Oncology • Artificial intelligence • Databases and information systems • Maritime engineering • Nanotechnology • Geoengineering • All aspects of physics • E-governance • E-commerce • The knowledge economy • Urban studies • Arms control • Understanding and responding to terrorism • Medical informatics • Computer Sciences