Miller Indices for FCC and BCC and XRay Diffraction Peaks

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining Miller Indices for Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) and Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) crystal structures in the context of X-Ray diffraction experiments. The user is utilizing Bragg's law to correlate peak locations in X-Ray data with Miller Indices. Key planes identified include (100), (110), and (111) for simple cubic lattices. The user seeks a method to calculate Miller Indices based on atomic positions within the crystal structure.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Miller Indices and their significance in crystallography.
  • Familiarity with Bragg's law and its application in X-Ray diffraction.
  • Knowledge of crystal lattice structures, specifically FCC and BCC.
  • Basic skills in interpreting X-Ray diffraction data.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the calculation methods for Miller Indices in FCC and BCC lattices.
  • Learn how to apply Bragg's law to analyze X-Ray diffraction patterns.
  • Explore resources on crystal lattice models and their atomic arrangements.
  • Investigate software tools for simulating X-Ray diffraction and Miller Indices determination.
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in materials science, physicists conducting X-Ray diffraction experiments, and anyone involved in crystallography and solid-state physics.

LukeD
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In my Physics lab, I'm doing X-Ray diffraction and attempting to determine the crystal structure of some common salts. To do this, I first need to determine the Miller Indices for the crystal structures that I'm considering. I can then match the location of peaks in X-Ray data (we're using monochromatic light) to the Miller Indices. (via Bragg's law)

I, however, only have a rough idea of how to find the Miller Indices of all of the planes I should be considering.


Relevant equations
By Bragg's law, we have that for two peaks in our X-Ray data located at \theta_1 and \theta_2
\frac{\sin^2 (\theta_1)}{\sin^2 (\theta_2)}=\frac{h_1^2+k_1^2+l_1^2}{h_2^2+k_2^2+l_2^2}

The attempt at a solution

For the simple cubic lattice, which is one of the structures I'm considering, I know that I have the planes (100),(110),(111) and various permutation of those optionally involving minus signs.

I can figure out the Miller Indices of a plane if I can see clearly where the plane intersects the axes (and in my lab, we have some models of crystals, so I was using that), but I can't seem to figure out the planes or Miller Indices or anything from just the description of a crystal structure.

If I know the locations of all of the atoms, how can I calculate the Miller Indices of the planes that touch these atoms?
 
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