Abstract
Crystallography is an invaluable tool in materials science, solid state physics and protein science. Understanding crystallography requires grasping the powerful but abstract concept of reciprocal space. Here a simple but insightful experiment using a laser pointer and Au microdisc arrays to explore and illustrate Bragg diffraction and reciprocal space is demonstrated. The Au microdisc arrays were manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques. The flexibility of the array design allows the demonstration of basic concepts such as lattice and atomic form factor, but also more advanced ones such as quasicrystal and shape function.
Highlights
Crystal diffraction is a vital tool in many fields of science, in particular solid state physics
Crystallography of atomic crystals is normally performed with X-rays, electrons or neutrons, which is experimentally challenging in an undergraduate teaching context
We demonstrate how laser diffraction can be used for student experiments in diffraction and reciprocal space
Summary
Crystal diffraction is a vital tool in many fields of science, in particular solid state physics. Any in-depth description of diffraction, beyond Bragg’s law, requires the introduction of reciprocal space, which is used in many other areas of physics. The concepts of diffraction and reciprocal space are quite challenging for undergraduate students (Radford, 1975). Laboratory experiments can be a powerful tool to support student learning, but they are difficult to realize in the case of diffraction. Crystallography of atomic crystals is normally performed with X-rays, electrons or neutrons, which is experimentally challenging in an undergraduate teaching context. X-rays require radiation protection, whereas electron beams require a vacuum. The most readily available source of coherent radiation is laser beams, which can be generated by low-cost battery-driven laser pointers. The wavelengths of lasers are generally too large for atomic diffraction
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
