To isolate the spatial variation in 00ℓ spot intensity, we constructed a virtual dark field (VDF) image formed from the 00ℓ spots by placing small virtual apertures around these features, effectively as a post-processing mask on the diffraction plane in the four-dimensional dataset (shown on the average diffraction pattern, Figure ). The placement of the virtual apertures is shown in Figure , and the 00ℓ corresponding VDF image is shown in Figure . Narrow order reflections for ℓ = n, n + 2 (Figure ), with the ℓ = n + 2 as the single, dominant feature when no lamellar order is retained (nematic phases). While the SED patterns do not completely resolve the 00ℓ or 01ℓ spots, the spots show defined elongation along 00ℓ and 01ℓ. These two features are correlated in spatially resolved diffraction patterns from the field of view (Figure ) with increases in 00ℓ intensity corresponding to increased ellipticity at the 01ℓ first order reflections.