Understanding Modified Bragg's Law with Derivation and Examples

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    Bragg's law Law
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the modified Bragg's Law, exploring its derivation and the relationship with Snell's Law. Participants are attempting to understand the corrections and implications of the modified equation, including its application to x-ray data.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express difficulty in deriving the modified Bragg's Law and seek assistance in understanding the combination of Snell's Law and Bragg's Law.
  • One participant presents a derivation that includes corrections to the original Bragg equation, noting the angle measurements and assumptions about the refractive index.
  • There is a discussion about the sign of the correction term, with some participants noting discrepancies between their results and those found in textbooks.
  • Participants explore the implications of using different definitions for the refractive index, with some suggesting that a positive correction term leads to different signs in the equations.
  • One participant mentions that their equations assume constructive interference among atomic layers, indicating a specific context for their calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct form of the modified Bragg's Law or the sign of the correction term. Multiple competing views and interpretations of the derivation and assumptions remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the assumptions made in their derivations, particularly concerning the definition of the refractive index and the angle measurements. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations and calculations that have not been conclusively resolved.

saybrook1
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Hi guys, the x-ray data booklet gives a modified Bragg's Law that seems to be a combination of Snell's and Braggs. I'll post a picture of what this looks like. I've tried combining the two equations and coming up with their answer but can't get a solid derivation. Any help or a point toward a derivation would be awesome. Thanks!

http://imgur.com/a/CvUGz

http://imgur.com/a/CvUGz
 
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saybrook1 said:
Hi guys, the x-ray data booklet gives a modified Bragg's Law that seems to be a combination of Snell's and Braggs. I'll post a picture of what this looks like. I've tried combining the two equations and coming up with their answer but can't get a solid derivation. Any help or a point toward a derivation would be awesome. Thanks!

http://imgur.com/a/CvUGz

[PLAIN]http://imgur.com/a/CvUGz[/QUOTE]

I would really like to know where this correction comes from.
 
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I get something similar, but a couple of corrections. I don't know if my calculations are correct, but I can show you what I got.
One problem with the Bragg equation is the ## \theta ## is not measured from the normal to the surface. In the following derivation, I will use ## \theta ## as from the normal, and ## \theta ' ## as measured from the surface. The index "n" is assumed to be approximately 1 but is assumed to be ## n=1+\delta ##. (This is one of two places where I don't agree completely with what they stated.) ## \\ ## Beginning with ## 2nd cos(\theta_r)=m \lambda ## for constructive interference, and using Snell's law ## n sin(\theta_r)=sin(\theta_i) ##, then ## sin(\theta_r)=sin(\theta_i)/n ##. Also ## sin(\theta_i ')=cos(\theta_i) ## which will be used momentarily. We have ## cos(\theta_r)=(1-(sin(\theta_i)/n)^2)^{1/2} ##so that ## n cos(\theta_r)=(n^2-sin^2(\theta_i))^{1/2}=(n^2-1+1-sin^2(\theta_i))^{1/2}=(n^2-1+cos^2(\theta_i))^{1/2}=(n^2-1+sin^2(\theta_i '))^{1/2} ##Now expand with ## n^2-1=2 \delta ## (approximately)and ## sin(\theta_i ') ## being the larger term. This gives ## n cos(\theta_r)=sin(\theta_i ')(1+2 \delta/sin^2(\theta_i))^{1/2}=sin(\theta_i ')(1+\delta/sin^2(\theta_i ') ) ##. Now we have that ## 2d sin(\theta_i ')=m \lambda ## (Bragg's law without correction).So that ## sin^2(\theta_i ')=(m \lambda)^2/(4 d^2) ## . Putting it all together: ## \\ ## $$ 2d sin(\theta_i ')(1+4 d^2 \delta/(m \lambda)^2)=m \lambda $$. I will try to proofread my response carefully, but I think I have done it correctly. Note that I get a "+" sign for the correction part, not in concurrence with the attachment in the OP.
 
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Charles Link said:
I get something similar, but a couple of corrections. I don't know if my calculations are correct, but I can show you what I got.
One problem with the Bragg equation is the ## \theta ## is not measured from the normal to the surface. In the following derivation, I will use ## \theta ## as from the normal, and ## \theta ' ## as measured from the surface. The index "n" is assumed to be approximately 1 but is assumed to be ## n=1+\delta ##. (This is one of two places where I don't agree completely with what they stated.) ## \\ ## Beginning with ## 2nd cos(\theta_r)=m \lambda ## for constructive interference, and using Snell's law ## n sin(\theta_r)=sin(\theta_i) ##, then ## sin(\theta_r)=sin(\theta_i)/n ##. Also ## sin(\theta_i ')=cos(\theta_i) ##. This gives ## cos(\theta_r)=(1-(sin(\theta_i)/n)^2)^{1/2} ##so that ## n cos(\theta_r)=(n^2-sin^2(\theta_i))^{1/2}=(n^2-1+1-sin^2(\theta_i))^{1/2}=(n^2-1+cos^2(\theta_i))^{1/2}=(n^2-1+sin^2(\theta_i '))^{1/2} ##Now expand with ## n^2-1=2 \delta ## (approximately)and ## sin(\theta_i ') ## being the larger term. This gives ## n cos(\theta_r)=sin(\theta_i ')(1+2 \delta/sin^2(\theta_i))^{1/2}=sin(\theta_i ')(1+\delta/sin^2(\theta_i ') ) ##. Now we have that ## 2d sin(\theta_i ')=m \lambda ## (Bragg's law without correction).So that ## sin^2(\theta_i ')=(m \lambda)^2/(4 d^2) ## . Putting it all together: ## \\ ## $$ 2d sin(\theta_i ')(1+4 d^2 \delta/(m \lambda)^2)=m \lambda $$. I will try to proofread my response carefully, but I think I have done it correctly. Note that I get a "+" sign for the correction part, not in concurrence with the attachment in the OP.
Oh wow, thanks a ton! This looks great.

So far I had this:

http://imgur.com/a/xJsHR

Lol not even close. This was my latest attempt at least. Tried a ton of different ways to make sense of this. I didn't consider the geometry enough.

Also, from your first form of the Bragg eqn, what happened to the 'n' term? Clearly, it's not part of the answer although I don't see where it disappears.
 
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I edited it just a moment ago, (a minor change), but I might continue to update it if I see any additional typos, etc., so please look at my original post once more, etc.
 
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Charles Link said:
I edited it just a moment ago, (a minor change), but I might continue to update it if I see any additional typos, etc., so please look at my original post once more, etc.

Cool, will do; Thanks again man!
 
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saybrook1 said:
Oh wow, thanks a ton! This looks great.

So far I had this:

http://imgur.com/a/xJsHR

Lol not even close. This was my latest attempt at least. Tried a ton of different ways to make sense of this. I didn't consider the geometry enough.

Also, from your first form of the Bragg eqn, what happened to the 'n' term? Clearly, it's not part of the answer although I don't see where it disappears.
The "n " term is multiplying ## cos(\theta_r) ##. It multiplied the parenthesis of ## (1-sin^2(\theta_i)/n^2)^{1/2} ## to give ## (n^2-sin^2(\theta_i))^{1/2} ##.
 
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Charles Link said:
The "n " term is multiplying ## cos(\theta_r) ##. It multiplied the parenthesis of ## (1-sin^2(\theta_i)/n^2)^{1/2} ## to give ## (n^2-sin^2(\theta_i))^{1/2} ##.

I see. Great! I'll try to talk to someone about the sign discrepancy... it's listed other places with the negative sign as well.
 
I think the sign error comes from the original form of Braggs law used. I think if we start with $$m\lambda=2nd\sin(\theta_r)$$ then we can remedy the sign error.
 
  • #10
saybrook1 said:
I see. Great! I'll try to talk to someone about the sign discrepancy... it's listed other places with the negative sign as well.
My equations assume a constructive interference between each of the atomic layers throughout the material. I think I did it correctly. If I got a wrong sign for some reason, it wouldn't be the first time. I'm assuming a positive correction ## \delta ## for the refractive index...
 
  • #11
Charles Link said:
My equations assume a constructive interference between each of the atomic layers throughout the material. I think I did it correctly. If I got a wrong sign for some reason, it wouldn't be the first time. I'm assuming a positive correction ## \delta ## for the refractive index...

Ahhh okay, fair enough.
 
  • #12
saybrook1 said:
Ahhh okay, fair enough.
A google just now, I think, supplies the answer. The article stated, in talking about x-rays, that the index of refraction is just slightly less than 1. Thereby they are using a positive ## \delta ## in your textbook, but use the definition ## n=1-\delta ##. Looks like we are now in concurrence with the textbook result. :-) :-)
 
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  • #13
Charles Link said:
A google just now, I think, supplies the answer. The article stated, in talking about x-rays, that the index of refraction is just slightly less than 1. Thereby they are using a positive ## \delta ## in your textbook, but use the definition ## n=1-\delta ##. Looks like we are now in concurrence with the textbook result. :-) :-)
Beautiful, so then we can say $$n^2-1\approx-2\delta$$ Do I have that right? Then we'll get the negative sign in the expansion. Thank you.
 
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