Optical diffraction patterns

simulate the process of

Fourier transforms
Lattice sampling of the molecular transform

Small spacings between

Molecules give wide
spacings in the
diffraction pattern. Big
spacings put spots close
together.
𝐼
Reciprocal lattice coords
FT of structure (x,y,z) for atoms with atomic scattering factors f provides F
ie(amplitudes and phases that produced it)

So we can move back and forth between diffraction space and real space.
Procedure

1. Purify Protein
2. Grow crystals
3. Measure interference pattern of diffracted waves –
resolution
4. Determine the lost phases
isomorphous replacement
anomalous dispersion
molecular replacement
5. Calculate electron density map from fourier
sum of measured wave amplitudes and
phases from above – fit model
6. Refine model
7. Validation