X-ray scattering data analysis.

<p>A) WAXS pattern from peripapillary human sclera. The spread of x-ray scatter intensity as a function of azimuth angle, φ, around the collagen intermolecular reflection (arrow) contains information about the orientation distribution of fibrils. B) Power-law background function (broken line) fitted to a radial profile (solid line) through pattern shown in A. For each pattern, independent background functions were fitted and subtracted along 256 equally spaced radial directions (every 1.4°), enabling the collagen signal to be isolated and extracted in two dimensions. <i>Arrow:</i> Collagen peak. C) Angular x-ray scatter intensity profile of pattern shown in A. The scatter intensity may be separated into that arising from isotropic collagen, Ii, and that arising from preferentially aligned fibrils, Ia. D) Aligned collagen scatter displayed in a polar coordinate system. The plot shape reveals the collagen anisotropy. The length of vector, r(φ), is proportional to the relative number of fibrils preferentially aligned at angle, φ+π/2.