The Application of Image Storage Tubes to the Observation of Optical Diffraction Patterns

Abstract

The analogies between X-ray diffraction by crystals and optical Fraunhofer diffraction are used by the Department of Physics, College of Science and Technology, Manchester, England, to assist in the solution of crystal structures. Fraunhofer diffraction patterns formed by an optical diffractometer are small and faint, but for comparison with X-ray data, large and bright optical diffraction patterns that can be quickly prepared are desirable. The usual photographic technique using microfile film, quick-finish processing, and microenlargement takes much more time than the preparation of diffracting objects and observation of the diffraction pattern. The apparatus described in this chapter presents the optical diffraction pattern in a few seconds in a size suitable for comparison with X-ray data, though the picture quality so far obtained is not as good as the one that can be obtained photographically. The optical diffractometer used is essentially that described by Hughes and Taylor.