x-ray diffraction
Definition
Noun: A technique used to determine the atomic and molecular structure of a crystal by analyzing the pattern produced when X-rays are scattered by its atoms. The resulting interference pattern reveals the crystal's internal structure.
Usage
This term is used specifically in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, and structural biology to describe both the physical phenomenon and the analytical method. - X-ray diffraction is essential for identifying crystalline phases and determining unit cell dimensions. - The discovery of the DNA double helix relied on x-ray diffraction data.
Examples
- The researcher used to solve the protein's structure.
- The mineral's identity was confirmed through analysis.
- patterns provide a fingerprint for crystalline materials.
Advanced Usage
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD): A method where a diffraction pattern is collected from a single, high-quality crystal to determine a detailed molecular structure.
- Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD): A technique used on microcrystalline or powdered samples, primarily for phase identification and analysis of polycrystalline materials.
Variants and Related Words
- Diffractometer (n): The instrument used to measure diffraction angles and intensities.
- Diffractogram (n): The graphical output or pattern from a diffraction experiment.
- Crystallography (n): The science of determining the arrangement of atoms in crystalline solids, for which x-ray diffraction is the primary tool.
Synonyms
- X-ray crystallography (This is a closely related but broader term encompassing the entire methodology of structure determination using x-ray diffraction).
Related Phrases
- X-ray diffraction pattern: The specific arrangement of spots or rings produced on a detector, which contains structural information.
- Bragg diffraction: The physical law (Bragg's Law) that describes the conditions under which x-ray diffraction occurs.
Noun
-
the scattering of X rays by the atoms of a crystal; the diffraction pattern shows structure of the crystal
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
