X-ray diffraction

X-ray diffraction is a technique for probing material structure by measuring how X-rays scatter from atoms arranged in a sample.

Bragg's law: Bragg's law relates X-ray wavelength, crystal-plane spacing, and diffraction angle for constructive interference. It predicts the angles at which regularly spaced crystal planes reinforce scattered X-rays.
Crystal lattice: A crystal lattice is a periodic arrangement of points representing the translational symmetry of a crystal. Periodic lattice order gives rise to discrete diffraction reflections.
X-ray crystallography: X-ray crystallography determines atomic structures by analyzing diffraction from a crystalline sample. It uses diffraction data to reconstruct detailed three-dimensional structures.
Neutron diffraction: Neutron diffraction probes atomic and magnetic structures through the scattering of neutrons by matter. Neutrons complement X-rays by probing nuclei and magnetic moments with different sensitivities.
Max von Laue: Max von Laue was a German physicist who discovered X-ray diffraction by crystals in 1912. His experiment established that X-rays behave as waves and crystals have periodic structure.
Ewald sphere: The Ewald sphere is a reciprocal-space construction that identifies which crystal reflections satisfy the diffraction condition. It connects a crystal's reciprocal lattice to the directions that produce diffraction spots.
Unit cell: A unit cell is the smallest repeating volume that, by translation, generates a crystal structure. Its dimensions and atomic contents determine the positions and intensities of diffraction peaks.
Powder diffraction: Powder diffraction measures diffraction from many randomly oriented crystallites in a powdered sample. It identifies phases and lattice parameters when a single crystal is unavailable.
Electron diffraction: Electron diffraction uses the wave scattering of electrons to investigate material structure. Electrons interact more strongly with matter, enabling diffraction from very small samples but complicating interpretation.
William Henry Bragg: William Henry Bragg was a British physicist who helped develop X-ray spectroscopy and crystal structure analysis. He built experimental methods that made crystal diffraction measurements practical.

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