Identification of index of Bragg peaks for NaCl

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the identification of Bragg peaks in x-ray crystallography data for a single crystal of NaCl. Participants explore methods to correlate observed peaks with specific crystal planes and address issues related to measurement accuracy and equipment alignment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant identifies three peaks at specific angles and references a source suggesting these correspond to even values of h, k, and l.
  • Another participant suggests using a specific equation from the referenced source to check for commonality among the peaks based on their measured angles.
  • A participant claims to have found values of h, k, l as (2, 0, 0), (4, 0, 0), (6, 0, 0) and questions if this justifies a face-centered cubic structure.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the justification for the crystal structure based on the peak pattern, noting that other structures could yield similar patterns.
  • Concerns are raised about the accuracy of the measured theta values, with a participant suggesting that misalignment of the diffractometer may have occurred.
  • One participant proposes using a ratio involving sine squared of the measured angles to identify planes, questioning its validity.
  • A later reply suggests correcting peak positions with a zero point shift as a first approximation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the reliability of the identified planes and the implications for the crystal structure. There is no consensus on the correctness of the identified planes or the methods proposed for their validation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential issues with equipment alignment and the unknown plane of the crystal cut, which may affect the accuracy of the measurements and conclusions drawn.

Hello890
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In my x-ray crystallography data for a single crystal of NaCl using x-rays generated by Cu k alpha (154 pm), there are three peaks identified at angles of 14.155, 31.475 and 53.5 degrees.
According to http://www.nada.kth.se/~fabo02/solid/xray.pdf, these peaks must correspond to only even values of h, k and l (as there is quite a lot of background noise)
How can I then identify which peak corresponds to which layers?
 
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Why not following the “recipes” given in http://www.nada.kth.se/~fabo02/solid/xray.pdf. As you are using Cu K-alpha X-ray radiation, you can use equation (8) to determine Sqrt(h2 + k2 + l2) for the three measured angles in order to roughly check whether there is something in common. As you are measuring on a NaCl single crystal, the measured peaks must belong to a certain set of planes.
 
Lord Jestocost said:
Why not following the “recipes” given in http://www.nada.kth.se/~fabo02/solid/xray.pdf. As you are using Cu K-alpha X-ray radiation, you can use equation (8) to determine Sqrt(h2 + k2 + l2) for the three measured angles in order to roughly check whether there is something in common. As you are measuring on a NaCl single crystal, the measured peaks must belong to a certain set of planes.
Many thanks for your reply. I have find the values of h, k, l as being closest to (2, 0, 0), (4, 0, 0), (6, 0, 0) as my parallel planes. Could I use to justify that the structure of the crystal is face-centered cubic?
 
Hello890 said:
Could I use to justify that the structure of the crystal is face-centered cubic?

I don’t think so. Appropriate aligned crystals with other crystal structures could give rise to a peak pattern which could be assigned in the same way.
 
Lord Jestocost said:
I don’t think so. Appropriate aligned crystals with other crystal structures could give rise to a peak pattern which could be assigned in the same way.
Can I safely say that the planes identified are indeed the correct ones, even though the plane of the cut of the crystal is unknown? Also, can I use the method in http://pd.chem.ucl.ac.uk/pdnn/diff2/structf.htm to calculate the relative intensities, will the formula work for single crystals as well?
 
Last edited:
Hello890 said:
Can I safely say that the planes identified are indeed the correct ones, even though the plane of the cut of the crystal is unknown?

As you are measuring on a NaCl single crystal, the planes identified seem to be the correct ones. I am, however, surprised about the measured theta values of 14.155, 31.475 and 53.5 degrees which indicate a severe misalignment of your diffractometer. The correct ones should be 15.85° (200), 33.11° (400) and 55.02° (600) when assuming a lattice parameter of 0.5640 nm.
 
Lord Jestocost said:
As you are measuring on a NaCl single crystal, the planes identified seem to be the correct ones. I am, however, surprised about the measured theta values of 14.155, 31.475 and 53.5 degrees which indicate a severe misalignment of your diffractometer. The correct ones should be 15.85° (200), 33.11° (400) and 55.02° (600) when assuming a lattice parameter of 0.5640 nm.
Yes, unfortunately the equipment we were given was not well aligned and so an offset had to be taken into account. Should I perhaps identify the planes using the ratio of the sin^2(measured angle 1) / sin^2(measured angle 2 - of next peak) = (h1^2 + k1^2 + l1^2)/ n^2(h2^2 + k2^2 + l2^2)? Would this work?
 
Hello890 said:
Would this work?

The best way would be to correct the peak positions to a first approximation by applying a simple zero point shift.
 

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