Forty Years of Quantitative Diffraction Analysis

Abstract

In this paper an attempt is made to review in rather broad perspective the origins and history of quantitative methods in diffraction analysis, at the same time leaving an in-depth examination of the present state of the art to other better qualified contributors to this conference. Space limitations preclude mention of many significant contributions, for which I am very sorry. It will be possible to review only a number of pivotal historical events, while also taking note of certain other researches that seem representative of historical and present-day trends.The birth of quantitatively meaningful analysis in the mid-1930s depended upon a realisation of, and allowance for, the alteration of the diffracted intensities resulting from absorption of x-rays by the specimen. Furthermore, advances in the art achieved during the past forty years have been closely related to improvements in the treatment of the absorption factor.