# Bragg diffraction - How to make sense of it ?

1. ### svrphy

17
Bragg diffraction - How to make sense of it ??

Is there a way to make sense of Diffraction of X Rays without taking recourse to oversimplified concepts like "Reflection of X Rays by parallel planes" which is generally the explanation in most basic physics books. It's been a couple years since I first studied it and i continue to get confused by assertions like reflecting of Photons by atoms. Online sources are also full of it :

http://www-outreach.phy.cam.ac.uk/camphy/xraydiffraction/xraydiffraction7_1.htm
OR
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Analytical_Chemistry/Instrumental_Analysis/Diffraction/Bragg's_Law

1,919
3. ### svrphy

17
I get that. But, is there a way to explain things without relying on mathematical formalism. I mean a general discussion on the physical mechanism.

4. ### UltrafastPED

1,919
Read chapter two of this dissertation: http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/63758

It starts with crystal theory, atomic scattering, and elastic scattering from crystals ... in short, a derivation of diffraction patterns starting from scratch.

1 person likes this.

839
6. ### svrphy

17
Thanks for the link. If you have access, could you pls give me the pdf ?