Röntgendiffraksi

Röntgendiffraksi, also known as X-ray diffraction (XRD), is a powerful analytical technique used for determining the atomic and molecular structure of a crystal. When X-rays interact with a crystalline material, they are scattered in specific directions. This scattering occurs because the regular arrangement of atoms in a crystal lattice acts as a diffraction grating for the X-rays. The angles at which constructive interference of the scattered X-rays occurs are unique to the arrangement of atoms within the crystal.

The principle behind Röntgendiffraksi is Bragg's Law, which relates the wavelength of the X-rays, the spacing between the crystal planes, and the angle of diffraction. By measuring the angles and intensities of the diffracted X-ray beams, scientists can deduce information about the size and shape of the unit cell, the atomic positions within the unit cell, and the overall crystal structure of the material. This technique is non-destructive, meaning the sample is typically not altered during the analysis. Röntgendiffraksi finds widespread application in fields such as materials science, chemistry, geology, and pharmaceuticals for identifying crystalline phases, determining crystallite size, assessing strain, and characterizing the purity of solid samples.