X-ray diffraction Britannica ConcisePhenomenon in which the atoms of a crystal, by virtue of their uniform spacing, cause an interference pattern of the waves in an incident beam of X-rays. The crystal's atomic planes act on the X-rays in the same way a uniformly ruled grating acts on a beam of light (see polarization). The interference pattern is specific to each substance and gives information on the structure of the atoms or molecules in the crystal. See also William Henry Bragg. Images and Media:
More on "X-ray diffraction" from Britannica Concise:
metallography - Study of the structure of metals and alloys, particularly using microscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques.
Wilkins, Maurice (Hugh Frederick) - New Zealand-born British biophysicist.
mineralogy - Scientific study of minerals, including their physical properties, chemical composition, internal crystal structure, occurrence and distribution in nature, and origins or conditions of formation.
Perutz, Max Ferdinand - Austrian-British biochemist.
Kendrew, Sir John Cowdery - British biochemist.
More on "X-ray diffraction" from the 32 Volume Encyclopædia Britannica:
X-ray diffraction - a phenomenon in which the atoms of a crystal, by virtue of their uniform spacing, cause an interference pattern of the waves present in an incident beam of X rays. The atomic planes of the crystal act on the X rays in exactly the same manner as does a uniformly ruled grating on a beam of light. See also Bragg law; Laue diffraction pattern.
diffraction - the spreading of waves around obstacles. Diffraction takes place with sound; with electromagnetic radiation, such as light, X-rays, and gamma rays; and with very small moving particles such as atoms, neutrons, and electrons, which show wavelike properties. One consequence of diffraction is that sharp shadows are not produced. The phenomenon is the result of interference (i.e., when waves are ...
Laue diffraction pattern - in X rays, a regular array of spots on a photographic emulsion resulting from X rays scattered by certain groups of parallel atomic planes within a crystal. When a thin, pencil-like beam of X rays is allowed to impinge on a crystal, those of certain wavelengths will be oriented at just the proper angle to a group of atomic planes so that they will combine in phase to produce intense, regularly ...
protein - Most knowledge concerning secondary and tertiary structure of globular proteins has been obtained by the examination of their crystals using X-ray diffraction. In this technique X rays are allowed to strike the crystal; the X rays are diffracted by the crystal and impinge on a photographic plate, forming a pattern of spots. The measured intensity of the diffraction pattern, as recorded on a ...
analysis - X-ray emission spectrometry is the group of analytical methods in which emitted X-ray radiation is monitored. X rays are emitted when an electron in an outer orbital falls into a vacancy in an inner orbital. The vacancy is created by bombarding the atom with electrons, protons, alpha particles, or another type of particles. The vacancy also can be created by absorption of X-ray radiation or by ...
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