X-ray investigation of crystal structures / Laue method

Principle

Laue diagrams are produced when monocrystals are irradiated with polychromatic X-rays. This method is primarily used for the determination of crystal symmetries and the orientation of crystals. When a LiF monocrystal is irradiated with polychromatic X-rays, a characteristic diffraction pattern results. This pattern is photographed and then evaluated.

Tasks

1. The Laue diffraction of an LiF mono-crystal is to be recorded on a film.
2. The Miller indices of the corresponding crystal surfaces are to be assigned to the Laue reflections.

Learning objectives

• Crystal lattices
• Crystal systems
• Crystal classes
• Bravais lattice
• Reciprocal lattice
• Miller indices
• Structure amplitude
• Atomic form factor
• The Bragg equation