Electron Diffraction

Aria Novak
April 2022

1 Abstract
In 1924, Louis de Broglie predicted that electrons should show diffraction effects
with crystals. As a wave packet passes through a material, each atom within that
material causes a scattered wave with an amplitude that is closely proportional
to the atomic number of the atom. As multiple wave packets interfere with one
another they will create an interference pattern.

2 Introduction
Electron Diffraction was first proposed in 1924 by French physicist, Louis de
Broglie. In 1927, physicists, Lester H. Germer, Clinton J Davisson and George
P. Thomson, announced the discovery of electron diffraction which they won a
Nobel Prize in 1937 for their discovery. The physicists came to their conclusion
through very different experiments. Davisson and Germer utilized a hot filament
which produced slower moving electrons, while Thomson used a cathode-ray
tube to produce faster moving electrons. The idea of electron diffraction is that
the motion of electrons are associated with a wave. This theory can be produced
by shining a beam of electrons through a crystal lattice.

3 Findings
Louis de Broglie proposed that when particles have a momentum p, the mo-
tion from their momentum is related to the wavelength. Utilizing h, Planck’s
constant, De Broglie suggested the following:
h
λ= (1)
p
To confirm De Broglie’s findings, we can evaluate the diffraction pattern
using the wave-like nature of electrons. Shining an electron beam into crystal
(graphite) at an angle θ, the electrons will then be diffracted at an angle of 2θ
where the screen will detect the diffracted electrons. Electrons are emitted from

1
Figure 1: This image describes the setup and geometry of the experiment using
a graphite crystal.

a heated filament within a cathode, the electrons are then accelerated towards
the crystal. To find the value θ we can can solve
D
2 2
tan = (2)
θ l1 + l2
r
D
l2 = R2 − ( )2 (3)
2
The constructive interference of waves means the difference in the length of
the path has to be an integral number of wavelengths, and that the angle of
reflection has to equal the angle of incidence. Using Bragg’s Law, n is equal to
the order of diffraction and it is an integral number.

nλ = 2dsinθ (4)

Using Bragg’s Law we can find the angle of diffraction and we can also
analyze the pattern of diffraction. By doing so, we would be able to determine
either the interatomic spacing of the crystal if the wavelength is known, or the
wavelength if the interatomic spacing of the crystal structure is known. We
can apply Bragg’s Law to the diffraction of electrons because electrons act like
waves. In doing so we would see a beam showing up as coaxial rings around a
bright center.
Through the use of experimentation and the mathematical approach, one
should have a better understanding of the movement of electrons and their
wave-like behavior. The findings of Louis de Broglie, Lester H. Germer, Clinton
J Davisson and George P. Thomson, made vast strides in the world of physics
to help us understand both the nature of electrons and the idea of electron
diffraction.

2
Figure 2: This figure illustrates diffraction from a large number of micro crystals

4 Works cited
“8. Electron Diffraction¶.” 8. Electron Diffraction - Modern Lab Experiments
Documentation, Electron Diffraction Electrons Produced in a Cathode-Ray
Tube, Whereas Davisson and - JSTOR. Modern Physics Experiment Electron
Diffraction.