Resonant X-ray diffraction allows probing long-range electronic orders of specific ions species. We use this to study antiferromagnetism of 3d and 4f systems. The photons required for this technique are mainly produced in large scale synchroton accelerator facilities.

A handful of facilities provide these X-rays in short pulses. This allows using RXD in a pump-probe scheme, to probe antiferromagnetic dynamics. These spin dynamics are on the 0.1 – 100 ps time scales, which require excellent time resolution.