Lauekuvio

Lauekuvio is a Finnish term that translates to "Laue pattern" or "Laue diagram." It refers to a specific type of X-ray diffraction pattern generated using the Laue method. This method is employed in crystallography and materials science to determine the crystallographic orientation and symmetry of a single crystal.

In the Laue method, a stationary single crystal is illuminated with a polychromatic (white) X-ray beam. As the X-rays interact with the crystal lattice, they are diffracted according to Bragg's law. Because the incident beam is polychromatic, a range of wavelengths is available to satisfy Bragg's law for a given set of crystal planes. The diffracted beams are recorded on a photographic film or an electronic detector placed behind the crystal. The resulting pattern consists of a series of spots, each corresponding to a set of crystal planes diffracting a specific wavelength.

The arrangement and symmetry of these spots are directly related to the symmetry of the crystal lattice and the orientation of the crystal relative to the incident X-ray beam. Analyzing the Laue pattern allows researchers to identify the crystal system, determine the orientation of specific crystallographic axes, and assess the quality of the crystal. It is particularly useful for studying large crystals and for rapid orientation checks. The simplicity of the experimental setup makes the Laue method a valuable tool, especially in contexts where crystal orientation is crucial for further analysis or processing.