Intro to Solid State Physics

Dr Andy Higginbotham
Lecture 4 - 2015/16
Recap

• We have defined direct lattices, and discussed that they

contain planes, which we label as (hkl)

• We discussed that each direct lattice has an associated

reciprocal lattice

• Each reciprocal lattice vector (G) corresponds to a plane

in the direct lattice, and has length G=2π/d

• G.R=2nπ for any combination or reciprocal (G) and direct

(R) lattice vectors
This lecture - Diffraction Theory

• Radiation with wavelength of order the lattice spacing will

diffract from a periodic array of scatterers (e.g. atoms)

• Scattering is elastic (i.e. the radiation wavenumber, k,

remains unchanged during scattering)

• Scattering only occurs in certain directions defined by

either

k k0 = G
2d sin ✓B = n
Nobel Prize in
Physics 1915
• for their services in the analysis
of crystal structure by means
of X-rays
A real diffraction pattern
Analogy
Wavelength of radiation

• Radiation must be of wavelength around the typical

spacing of atoms in a crystal (of order 0.1nm, or 1Å)

• Classically, x-rays were used (need photon energy of

around 10keV)

• Any particle of suitable de-Broglie wavelength can be

diffracted
Scattering of radiation
Scattering of radiation
Thompson Scattering

k0 Working in the classical

(non-relativistic) limit
!0

k = k0
! = !0

(!0 = ck0 )
Array of regularly spaced scatterers

ρ
R Detector
The Laue Condition
• Coherent scattering occurs
when the change in
momentum of radiation is
equal to reciprocal lattice
vector
k
G

k k0 = G
k0
The Laue Condition

k
G

k0
The Laue Condition

k
G

k0
The Laue Condition

k
k0
The Ewald Sphere Interpretation

(0,0,0)
Interpretation in terms of planes of atoms

n̂
✓B

d
Bragg’s Law

n̂
✓B

d
= d sin ✓B

2d sin ✓B = n
Summary

• Radiation with wavelength of order the lattice spacing will

diffract from a periodic array of scatterers (e.g. atoms)

• Scattering is elastic (i.e. the radiation wavenumber, k,

remains unchanged during scattering)

• Scattering only occurs in certain directions defined by

either

k k0 = G
2d sin ✓B = n