Research areas within the scope of the journal include:

Interaction of x-rays with matter: x-ray phenomena, biological effects of radiation, radiation safety and optical constants

X-ray sources: x-rays from synchrotrons, x-ray lasers, plasmas, and other sources, conventional or unconventional

Optical elements: grazing incidence optics, multilayer mirrors, zone plates, gratings, other diffraction optics

Optical instruments: interferometers, spectrometers, microscopes, telescopes, microprobes