Xraycrystaallografiaa

Xraycrystaallografiaa, commonly known as X-ray crystallography, is a scientific technique used to determine the atomic and molecular structure of a crystal. It relies on the interaction of X-rays with the regularly ordered arrangement of atoms within a crystal lattice. When a beam of X-rays strikes a crystal, the X-rays are diffracted by the electrons of the atoms in a specific pattern. This diffraction pattern is recorded, usually on a photographic plate or a digital detector. The intensity and position of the diffracted spots in the pattern are then analyzed using mathematical techniques, primarily Fourier transforms, to reconstruct a three-dimensional map of electron density within the crystal. This electron density map reveals the positions of individual atoms and thus the overall structure of the molecule or material. X-ray crystallography has been instrumental in understanding the structures of a vast array of substances, from simple inorganic salts and metals to complex biological macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids. Its applications span across chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, and medicine, providing fundamental insights into molecular function and material properties.