- For parallel planes of atoms, with a space dh kl between the planes, constructive interference only occurs when Bragg's law is satisfied.
–In our diffractometers, the X-ray wavelength l is fixed.
–Consequently, a family of planes produces a diffraction peak only at a specific angle q.
–Additionally, the plane normal must be parallel to the diffraction-------Plane normal: the direction perpendicular to a plane of atoms
-------Diffraction vector: the vector that bisects the angle between the incident and diffracted beam
- The space between diffracting planes of atoms determines peak positions.
- The peak intensity is determined by what atoms are in the diffracting plane.