X-RAY DIFFRACTION METHODS

ASSIGNMENT – 2

PHY 407 : CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS

Presented by : Manjubala Submitted to :
2021IMSBPH009 Dr. Neeraj Panwar
Integrated MSc Bed Physics/ Sem-2

CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF RAJASTHAN

 Introduction
 X-ray diffraction is a phenomenon in
which the atoms of a crystal by virtue of
their uniform spacing, cause an
interference pattern of the incident X-
rays.

 Since the interatomic separations in

crystals are of the same order of
magnitude as the wavelength of X-rays, https://
images.app.goo.gl/
crystals act as diffraction gratings and
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produce diffraction on being irradiated
by X-rays.
nλ = 2d sin θ
 Strong X-ray diffraction produced by
crystalline solids is based on Bragg law.
 1. Laue Method
 First ever recorded X-ray diffraction
photograph of a crystal.

 In 1912, Max Von Laue,

a German theoretical physicist suggested
that X-rays can
produce constructive
interference after getting
diffracted from crystals.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F
 In Laue’s theory, the crystal is considered %2Fphysicsopenlab.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads
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to be made up of identical microscopic set diffraction%2F&tbnid=X-
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of ions or atoms. The X-rays scattered from 6&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim

these individual objects within each plane

are believed to interfere constructively.
 A typical range of
the source
wavelength is
from 0.2 to 2 Å.

 The specimen is a
single crystal of
dimensions
1mm*1mm*1mm.
https://images.app.goo.gl/

 It is fixed. RV5jnM5Q8Hfvt3mt8

Two flat films are used; one to record the diffraction

of reflected X-rays and the other to record the pattern
produced by X-rays.

A pinhole arrangement is used to produce a well

collimated beam of X-rays.
 The reflecting planes in the crystal choose a suitable wavelength for
which Bragg’s law is satisfied.

 The diffraction pattern

is an array of spots.

The diffraction pattern

obtained on the photo-
graphic plate consists of a
symmetrical arrangement of spots
depending upon the symmetry
property of the crystal lattice.
https://images.app.goo.gl/Ub8vEumD2Ag3kPGGA

‣For example, for a crystal with four fold symmetry

and axis parallel to the beam of X-ray, four fold
rotation of the crystal would produce identical Laue
patterns.
 Advantages
1) This method is widely used for quick
determination of crystal orientation and
symmetry.

2) It can be used to establish the shape of a unit

cell of crystal.

Disadvantages
1) It cannot be used for the determination of
crystal structure.
Because the wavelength of the X-ray beam that
is causing a specific spot is unknown.
 2. The Powder Method
 The powder method was devised independently by
Debye and Scherrer in Germany and Hull in America
at about the same time.

 A narrow beam of monochromatic X-rays, upon

falling onto a polycrystalline sample and being
reflected by the crystallites produces a number of
coaxial diffraction cones.

 This technique in principle provides for the variation

of the axis of rotation over all possible orientations of
a rotating crystal.
 The powdered sample is filled in a
glass capillary which is rotated
about its length.

 For every set of crystal planes in

the fine powder, one or more
crystals will be in the correct
orientation to give the correct
Bragg angle to satisfy Bragg’s
equation.

 Another fraction of the grains will

have another set of planes in the https://images.app.goo.gl/9DPAzjQC7ZUxBDMRA
correct position for the reflections
to occur and so on.
Also reflections are possible in the different order for each
set.

The powdered sample generates the concentric cones of

diffracted X-rays because of the random orientation of
crystallites in the sample.
 Advantages
1) Determination of unit cell dimensions.
2) Measurement of sample’s purity.
3) This method is known to be the most fast and accurate
for the determination of lattice constants a, b, c.

4) Since lattice constants are unique for a material, this

method is widely used for the identification of unknown
crystalline materials.

5) Its another important use is in the study of phase

diagrams of alloy systems.
2. The Rotating Crystal Method
 In this method monochromatic X-
rays (λ kept at a constant value) are
incident on a crystal rotating about an
axis.

 The beam of X-rays are made

monochromatic using a filter.

 A pinhole arrangement (collimator) is https://images.app.goo.gl/YaRZxbPAV9p3ycjZ7

used to collimate the monochromatic

beam of X-rays.

 The dimensions of single crystal

specimen are 1mm*1mm*1mm.
 The shaft will rotate the crystal at slow
rate.
 The rotation of the crystal
enables the variation of
the angle of incidence with
the Bragg plane.

 Whenever a set λ, θ and d

satisfies the Bragg
condition, the
corresponding Bragg peak
appears. https://images.app.goo.gl/g6Hzz5mnfeboapr19
Advantages
This method is in extensive use as it is relatively fast.

1) It helps in determination of crystal

structure.

2) It helps to determine size of unit cell of

crystal.
References used :
 Elements of Solid State Physics
by J.P. Srivastava

 Introduction to Solid State Physics

by Charles Kittel

 Youtube

 Google
Thank You