A device for figuring out the angle at which a beam of X-rays or neutrons will diffract off a crystalline construction is prime to supplies science. This angle, named after William Henry and William Lawrence Bragg, is derived from the wavelength of the incident beam and the spacing between atomic planes throughout the crystal lattice. For instance, realizing the attribute X-ray wavelength of copper and the diffraction angle, one can calculate the interplanar spacing of a crystal.
Understanding the diffraction angle permits researchers to research the construction of supplies, figuring out phases, figuring out crystal orientation, and learning defects. This method, stemming from early Twentieth-century work, is invaluable in fields starting from metallurgy and semiconductor expertise to prescription drugs and archaeology. Its software facilitates developments in supplies design and characterization.
