The atoms in a crystal are a periodic array of coherent scatterers and thus can diffract light.
- Diffraction occurs when each object in a periodic array scatters radiation coherently, producing concerted constructive interference at specific angles.
- The electrons in an atom coherently scatter light.
–The electrons interact with the oscillating electric field of the light wave.
- Atoms in a crystal form a periodic array of coherent scatterers.
–The wavelength of X-rays are similar to the distance between atoms.
–Diffraction from different planes of atoms produces a diffraction pattern, which contains information about the atomic arrangement within the crystal
- X-Rays are also reflected, scattered incoherently, absorbed, refracted, and transmitted when they interact with matter.