The Basics of Crystallography and Diffraction: Fourth Edition (International Union of Crystallography Texts on Crystallography)

This book provides a clear and very broadly based introduction to crystallography, light, X-ray and electron diffraction - a knowledge which is essential to students in a wide range of scientific disciplines but which is otherwise generally covered in subject-specific and more mathematically detailed texts. The text is also designed to appeal to the more general reader since it shows, by historical and biographical references, how the subject has developed from the work and insights of successive generations of crystallographers and scientists. The book shows how an understanding of crystal structures, both inorganic and organic may be built up from simple ideas of atomic and molecular packing. Beginning with (two dimensional) examples of patterns and tilings, the concepts of lattices, symmetry point and space groups are developed. 'Penrose' tilings and quasiperiodic structures are also included. The reciprocal lattice and its importance in understanding the geometry of light, X-ray and electron diffraction patterns is explained in simple terms, leading to Fourier analysis in diffraction, crystal structure determination, image formation and the diffraction-limited resolution in these techniques. Practical X-ray and electron diffraction techniques and their applications are described. A recurring theme is the common principles: the techniques are not treated in isolation. The fourth edition has been revised throughout, and includes new sections on Fourier analysis, Patterson maps, direct methods, charge flipping, group theory in crystallography, and a new chapter on the description of physical properties of crystals by tensors (Chapter 14). This book provides a clear and very broadly based introduction to crystallography, light, X-ray and electron diffraction -- a knowledge which is essential to students in a wide range of scientific disciplines but which is otherwise generally covered in subject-specific and more mathematically detailed texts. The text is also designed to appeal to the more general reader since it shows, by historical and biographical references, how the subject has developed from the work and insights of successive generations of crystallographers and scientists. The book shows how an understanding of crystal structures, both inorganic and organic may be built up from simple ideas of atomic and molecular packing. Beginning with (two dimensional) examples of patterns and tilings, the concepts of lattices, symmetry point and space groups are developed. 'Penrose' tilings and quasiperiodic structures are also included. The reciprocal lattice and its importance in understanding the geometry of light, X-ray and electron diffraction patterns is explained in simple terms, leading to Fourier analysis in diffraction, crystal structure determination, image formation and the diffraction-limited resolution in these techniques. Practical X-ray and electron diffraction techniques and their applications are described. A recurring theme is the common principles: the techniques are not treated in isolation. The fourth edition has been revised throughout, and includes new sections on trace analysis, the structural analysis of crystals and molecules, trial and error, Fourier analysis, Patterson maps, direct methods, charge flipping, group theory in crystallography, a new chapter on the description of physical properties of crystals by tensors (Chapter 14), and a new appendix on group theory in crystallography (Appendix 7). Covers the basics of crystallography and diffraction at an introductory level appropriate to the needs of students ; Makes difficult and abstruse topics 'crystal clear' ; Makes use of familiar and everyday examples in the explanations of symmetry and diffraction ; Describes X-ray and electron diffraction techniques and their applications in simple terms ; Emphasizes the 'human element' in the development of the subject by way of historical and biographical notes.--Publisher website ## Abstract This book provides an introduction to crystallography, light, X-ray, and electron diffraction. The book also shows, by historical and biographical references, how the subject has developed from the work and insights of successive generations of crystallographers and scientists. The book shows how an understanding of crystal structures, both inorganic and organic may be built up from simple ideas of atomic and molecular packing. Beginning with (two-dimensional) examples of patterns and tilings, the concepts of lattices, symmetry point, and space groups are developed. ‘Penrose’ tilings and quasiperiodic structures are also included. The reciprocal lattice and its importance in understanding the geometry of light, X-ray, and electron diffraction patterns is explained in simple terms, leading to Fourier analysis in diffraction, crystal structure determination, image formation, and the diffraction-limited resolution in these techniques. Practical X-ray and electron diffraction techniques and their applications are described. A recurring theme is the common principles: the techniques are not treated in isolation. Content: 1. Crystals and crystal structures 2. Two-dimensional patterns, lattices and symmetry 3. Bravais lattices and crystal systems 4. Crystal symmetry: point groups, space groups, symmetry-related properties and quasiperiodic crystals 5. Describing lattice planes and directions in crystals: Miller indices and zone axis symbols 6. The recirocal lattice 7. The diffraction of light 8. X-ray diffraction: the contribution of Max von Laue, W.H. and W.L. Bragg and P.P Ewald 9. The diffraction of X-rays 10. X-ray diffraction of polycrystalline materials 11. Electron diffraction and its applications 12. The stereographic projection and its uses 13. Fourier analysis in diffraction and image formation 14. The physical properties of crystals and their description by tensors This title provides a clear and very broadly based introduction to crystallography, light, X-ray, and electron diffraction; a knowledge of which is essential to students in a wide range of scientific disciplines but which is otherwise generally covered in subject-specific and more mathematically detailed texts. The book is also designed to appeal to the more general reader since it shows, by historical and biographical references, how the subject has developed from the work and insights of successive generations of crystallographers and scientists Crystallography and diffraction are widely used throughout science for studying structure. The aim of this book is to show, through relevant examples and without relying on complex mathematics, that the basic ideas behind crystallography and diffraction are simple and easily comprehensible.