X-ray diffraction or reflection?

In summary: I think I get it now. In summary, reflection is when the x-rays bounce off a surface and generate a reflection pattern.
  • #1
sreerajt
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1
In x-ray diffraction , even though its reflection is happening , we call this as x ray diffraction. why is it so?? i don't know whether it has been discussed previously here.
 
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  • #2
sreerajt said:
In x-ray diffraction , even though its reflection is happening , we call this as x ray diffraction. why is it so?? i don't know whether it has been discussed previously here.

Actually its diffraction that's happening. The terminology 'reflections' applies to the spots/patterns generated when x-rays diffract through a set of evenly spaced planes in a crystal. It's the mathematics of the monochromatic frequency of the x-rays and the angle of diffraction as the crystal is rotated. Diffraction patterns of spots/reflections are generated when the resulting wave patterns coincide and support each other.
 
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  • #3
does anybody have any other answer?
 
  • #4
Reflection and diffraction are really two different aspects of the same thing. The term reflection is used mostly for what happens at the surface of a homogenous medium. This does occur for x-rays, but only at very small angles, because the index of refractions is very very close to 1. Nevertheless the effect is used for things like space-based x-ray telescopes, focusing and harmonic rejection of synchrotron radiation, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_optics#Reflection

Diffraction relies on the (constructive) interference of wavelets scattered from a period arrangement of objects. For x-rays that can be a crystal lattice, an artificial multilayer, a Fresnel lens structure, etc. Diffraction does not necessarily happen at a surface. In fact, Max von Laue and coworkers first discovered x-ray diffraction in a transmission geometry.

http://www.iucr.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/721/chap4.pdf, near page 40.
 
  • #5
sreerajt said:
does anybody have any other answer?

M Quack added good info and links for reflection and diffraction.

Here's another wiki link directly to X-ray Crystallography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_crystallography

The link has some more good stuff that directly addresses your question regarding, "why":
In an X-ray diffraction measurement, a crystal is mounted on a goniometer and gradually rotated while being bombarded with X-rays, producing a diffraction pattern of regularly spaced spots known as reflections.
 
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  • #6
TumblingDice said:
M Quack added good info and links for reflection and diffraction.

Here's another wiki link directly to X-ray Crystallography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_crystallography

The link has some more good stuff that directly addresses your question regarding, "why":

You (actually Wikipedia :wink:) are telling is that reflection "... producing a diffraction pattern of regularly spaced spots known as reflections". But reflection is a physical phenomenon, so how cold you term spots as reflection??
 
  • #7
That is just nomenclature. At the Bragg condition the crystal "reflects" (should be diffracts!) x-rays, that's why it is known as Bragg reflection. This is the term that everybody uses, and I do not know of any better term. Get used to it.
 
  • #8
Okay.. Thank you...
 

1. What is X-ray diffraction or reflection?

X-ray diffraction or reflection is a technique used to study the structure of materials by analyzing the way X-rays are scattered or reflected off of the atoms in the material. This allows scientists to determine the arrangement of atoms in a crystal lattice, which can provide valuable information about the material's properties.

2. How does X-ray diffraction or reflection work?

X-ray diffraction or reflection works by directing a beam of X-rays at a sample and measuring the intensity and angle of the scattered or reflected X-rays. The pattern of peaks and valleys in the resulting diffraction or reflection pattern can be analyzed to determine the arrangement of atoms in the material.

3. What can X-ray diffraction or reflection be used for?

X-ray diffraction or reflection is commonly used in materials science to study the crystalline structure of materials such as metals, ceramics, and polymers. It can also be used in other fields such as biology and chemistry to study the structure of molecules and proteins.

4. How is X-ray diffraction or reflection different from other imaging techniques?

X-ray diffraction or reflection is different from other imaging techniques because it allows scientists to study the internal structure of materials without physically altering or destroying the sample. This makes it a valuable tool for non-destructive analysis.

5. What are the limitations of X-ray diffraction or reflection?

X-ray diffraction or reflection is limited to studying materials with a crystalline structure, as the atoms must be arranged in a regular pattern for the X-rays to produce a diffraction or reflection pattern. It also requires specialized equipment and expertise to interpret the results, making it a more specialized technique compared to other imaging methods.

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