BRAGG DIFFRACTION Meaning and
Definition
-
Bragg diffraction refers to the phenomenon observed when an incident beam of electromagnetic radiation (such as X-rays or neutrons) interacts with a crystal lattice and undergoes constructive interference. This diffraction pattern reveals information about the atomic structure of the crystal and is widely used in the field of crystallography for determining the arrangement of atoms within a crystal.
The concept of Bragg diffraction is based on the work of father-son duo, William Henry Bragg and William Lawrence Bragg, who formulated the Bragg's law in 1913. According to Bragg's law, when a beam of radiation strikes a crystal lattice at a particular angle (known as the Bragg angle), the wavelengths of the incident and diffracted beams and the distance between crystal planes must satisfy a specific relationship for constructive interference to occur.
The diffraction pattern obtained from Bragg diffraction can be visualized as a series of bright spots known as Bragg peaks, which correspond to specific angles of diffraction. The intensities and positions of these peaks provide information about the crystal's lattice spacing and atomic arrangement. By analyzing the diffraction pattern, scientists can determine key characteristics of crystalline materials, including the positions of atoms, crystal symmetry, and crystallographic defects.
Bragg diffraction is extensively used in various scientific fields, such as chemistry, materials science, biology, and solid-state physics, for studying crystal structures, determining protein structures, analyzing crystal defects, and validating crystallographic models. The development and application of advanced diffraction techniques have revolutionized our understanding of the atomic world and have contributed significantly to numerous scientific advancements.
Common Misspellings for BRAGG DIFFRACTION
- vragg diffraction
- nragg diffraction
- hragg diffraction
- gragg diffraction
- beagg diffraction
- bdagg diffraction
- bfagg diffraction
- btagg diffraction
- b5agg diffraction
- b4agg diffraction
- brzgg diffraction
- brsgg diffraction
- brwgg diffraction
- brqgg diffraction
- brafg diffraction
- bravg diffraction
- brabg diffraction
- brahg diffraction
- brayg diffraction
- bratg diffraction
Etymology of BRAGG DIFFRACTION
The term "Bragg diffraction" is named after the British physicist William Henry Bragg and his son William Lawrence Bragg, who made significant contributions to the understanding of X-ray crystallography.
William Henry Bragg and his son discovered that when X-rays strike the atoms within a crystal lattice, they cause the X-rays to diffract, or bend, in a very specific manner. This phenomenon is now known as Bragg diffraction.
The word "diffraction" comes from the Latin word "diffringere", which means "to break into pieces" or "to shatter". In the context of optics and physics, diffraction refers to the bending or spreading of waves when they encounter an obstacle or pass through an opening.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
