ELECTRON DIFFRACTION

Qatar University
Physics 230
Modern Physics Lab
Dr. Dana Abdullmalik

September 28, 2022

Abstract

Analysis of electron diffraction over a range of kV provides a set of data that can then
be used to calculate an approximate value of lambda. Two concentric green rings were
made by electron acceleration through a graphite sheet. This nature of electron diffraction
was observed within a dark room. The graphite made the rings were made diffraction
apparatus and made visible on the surface of a glass fluorescent screen This was measured
by three experimentalists each taking individual measurements of the rings’ diameter
through increments from 1.2 to 2.6 kV. The average value of the diameter was taken from
both rings at each interval and then an approximation for lambda was found using the de
Broglie Hypothesis. The results from the smaller ring gave an approximation of the
distance between the carbon atoms which was 1.000 nm; this value differs by o.335 nm
from the literature value.

1. Theory

The fundamental physics that underlies this experiment is the nature of light and its behavior to
be diffracted through a graphite sheet with a grating of spacing d. Particles, (in this case,
electrons) behave with wave like properties and should be diffracted through some angle θ given
by equation 1. The experiment resulted in a diffraction pattern of two separate sized concentric
rings projected onto a fluorescent screen. The results arose from measuring their diameter and
two independent angles that can be observed in
Eq. 1
𝜆 = 𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
Where λ is the wavelength of the light. For very small angles however, the wavelength is equal
to:
Eq2.
𝜆 = 𝑑𝜃
 The electrons in this experiment are said to have an effective wavelength which is inversely
proportional to the electron’s momentum. This was first suggested by Louis de Broglie in
1926. The de Broglie Hypothesis equation is as follows:
Eq3.
𝜆 = ℎ /𝑚𝑣
Where h is Planck’s constant; this equation can be used to find a close approximation to
Planck’s constant provided that the wavelength of the electrons and their corresponding
velocities are known. The apparatus used in this experiment involved a thin graphite sheet
with an approximate distance between the carbon atoms of 10-10 m. This is effective for the
purposes of the experiment because the required spacing to diffract electrons is
approximately equal to the carbon atoms. Within the apparatus is an electron gun which
accelerates the focused electrons through a graphite target. This is achieved by using a high
voltage source to accelerate the electrons through a potential difference of up to 2.6kV. The
electrons are then projected through the graphite target and are then diffracted through the
spacing onto a fluorescent screen. The resultant diffraction pattern that is projected through
the potential difference and shown on the screen are two separate concentric green rings of
dissimilar diameter. The inner ring corresponds to a lattice spacing of d = 4.6 cm and the
outer ring corresponds to d = 8.1 cm.

2. Procedure
1. Familiarize yourself with the apparatus.
2. Make sure the high voltage is set to 0 before turning on the power.
3. Change the high voltage and understand qualitatively the response of the electron beam.
Determine the lowest voltage for which patterns can be obtained.
4. Measure the radius R of the two rings from the graphite target for 5 or more voltages
between 2 and 4 kV.
5. Plot a graph to verify de Broglie hypothesis.
6. Calculate the average spacing between carbon atoms.

3. Data Analysis
 lambda
Volt (KV) 1/sqrt(v) u(volt) D1 R1 (m) R2 (m) D2
λm
3.54E- 1.92E- 1.09E-
1.2 0.028867513 0.01 0.024 0.042167
11 10 10
3.07E- 1.84E- 1.12E-
1.6 0.025 0.01 0.021667 0.035667
11 10 10
2.68E- 1.88E- 1.14E-
2.1 0.021821789 0.01 0.0185 0.030667
11 10 10
2.41E- 1.82E- 1.14E-
2.6 0.019611614 0.01 0.017167 0.0275
11 10 10

Lambda vs 1/(v)^0.5
4E-11

3.5E-11
f(x) = 1.22720538968249E-09 x − 3.26813243906019E-21
3E-11 R² = 1

2.5E-11
Lambda (m)

2E-11

1.5E-11

1E-11

5E-12

0
0.018 0.02 0.022 0.024 0.026 0.028 0.03
1/squareroot of V (volt)

4. Results
First, we calculated the lambda for each volt measurement we took,
h
λ=
√2 meV
−34
6.624 × 10 −11
λ= =3.54264 ×10 m
¿ √ 2 ×1.6 ×10 × 9.11× 10 × 1200
−19 −31

Then we calculated the inverse of the volt to be able to draw the slope of the equation.
 After that we find the slope of the figure which is,
λ −10 m
Slope= v
=1.22721 ×10
V
Then we can calculate the error by Applying:

(1.13−1.22)
Percentage error = .100=7.96 %
1. 13

5. Error Analysis
In this experiment, we calculated percentage error as 7.96% Causes of percentage error are
sensitivity of tools and calibration mistakes. And also we may mistake in calculation. It
occasions to error in the experiment. So, we found values kind of exact to the exact one
approximately

6. Conclusion
In this lab we experimented with the interference of electron beam. We investigated the
wave nature of electron specific the interference. We were successfully able to measure the
wavelengths and the distance between the atoms of carbon. This experiment was very prices
with the radius measurements. We were able to measure and analyze the diffraction of the
electrons.