Diffraction Basics

Abstract

X-ray and neutron powder diffraction are fundamental tools in the characterization of materials for energy applications. This chapter lays out the basic theory required for a researcher to understand and apply standard x-ray and neutron powder diffraction techniques in their projects, beginning with establishing the requirement of crystallinity for Bragg diffraction, and how simple analogies lead directly to applications in-phase analysis and lattice parameter determination. Line profile analyses also allow the estimation of crystallite size and microstrain where appropriate. The chapter then concludes with a discussion of crystallographic refinement using the Rietveld method and how x-ray and neutron techniques can still be useful in analyzing total scattering data in disordered and non-crystalline materials.