Structure Factor Explained: Scattered Rays, Zero Values & Wave Vector

[cytochrome]

The structure factor in solid state physics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structure_factor) apparently gives information on the scattered ray from a lattice.

How exactly does it do that?

Does a structure factor of zero at certain points imply that rays cannot be scattered in those directions?

If I know the incident wave vector, how do I determine the allowable scattering directions? (Should this be done with the structure factor?)I'm just confused about some general concepts, so a qualitative discussion would be nice. Thanks

 

[M Quack]

The structure factor determines the amplitude of a Bragg diffracted ray, i.e. coherent and elastic scattering off the atoms of the crystal.
A zero structure factor implies that the waves scattered by the different atoms interfere destructively such that this amplitude becomes zero, hence no intensity.