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Related Concept Videos

X-ray Crystallography02:18

X-ray Crystallography

21.6K
The size of the unit cell and the arrangement of atoms in a crystal may be determined from measurements of the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal, termed X-ray crystallography.
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
21.6K
Determination of Crystal Structures01:29

Determination of Crystal Structures

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In the late 1800s, the revelation that light extended beyond visible wavelengths led to the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen. Recognized as high-energy electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths, X-rays prompted exploration into their interaction with crystals. Max von Laue proposed in 1912 that the periodic arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in crystals would cause them to diffract X-rays, a hypothesis confirmed through experiments with copper sulfate and zinc sulfide...
135
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes02:58

Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes

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Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
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Crystallographic Point Groups01:29

Crystallographic Point Groups

126
Crystallographic point groups represent the various symmetry operations that can occur within crystals. They are unique in that at least one point will always remain unchanged during these actions. For instance, consider the triclinic system. This system, devoid of any axis or plane of symmetry, aligns with the C1 and Ci point groups.where Cᵢ is characterized solely by a center of inversion.Contrastingly, the monoclinic system introduces an element of symmetry. This system with one plane...
126
Atomic Structure01:17

Atomic Structure

82.7K
The Greek philosopher Democritus proposed that everything on Earth is made up of tiny particles called atomos, Greek for "indivisible," from which the modern term "atom" is derived. In the 19th century, John Dalton proposed the atomic theory that is still largely correct today. He put forth five postulates to explain how atoms made up the world around us. (1) All matter is composed of infinitely small particles or atoms. (2) All atoms of a given element are identical to one...
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Atomic Structure01:33

Atomic Structure

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Overview
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 30, 2026

On-Chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature
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On-Chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature

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'Seeing' atoms: the crystallographic revolution.

Dieter Schwarzenbach1

  • 1Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne IPSB - Cristallographie Le Cubotron (BSP) CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. dieter.schwarzenbach@epfl.ch.

Chimia
|May 8, 2014
PubMed
Summary

X-ray diffraction revolutionized science, enabling atomic-level visualization of crystal structures. This technique became crucial for chemistry, physics, and materials science, with ongoing advancements in Switzerland.

Area of Science:

  • Crystallography
  • Materials Science
  • Chemical Analysis

Background:

  • Laue's 1912 X-ray diffraction experiment enabled atomic-level visualization of matter.
  • W. L. Bragg's 1913 crystal structure determinations (NaCl, diamond) marked a pivotal moment.
  • Diffraction methods became foundational for solid-state physics, chemistry, materials science, mineralogy, and biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To trace the historical development of small-molecule crystallography in Switzerland.
  • To highlight key pioneers and institutions in Swiss crystallography.
  • To discuss the evolution and current status of diffraction methods in chemical analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of X-ray diffraction and crystallography.
  • Focus on powder diffraction (Debye-Scherrer) and geometrical crystallography (Niggli).

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Picometer-Precision Atomic Position Tracking through Electron Microscopy

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Sample Preparation and Transfer Protocol for In-Vacuum Long-Wavelength Crystallography on Beamline I23 at Diamond Light Source
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Sample Preparation and Transfer Protocol for In-Vacuum Long-Wavelength Crystallography on Beamline I23 at Diamond Light Source

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Last Updated: Apr 30, 2026

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  • Examination of early applications in Swiss universities (Bern, Geneva).

    • Main Results:

    • Establishment of X-ray crystallography at Swiss universities by the 1970s.
    • Pioneering contributions from Debye, Scherrer, and Niggli's Zurich School.
    • Transition of structure determination to specialized service laboratories.

    Conclusions:

    • Diffraction methods are indispensable for chemical analysis and scientific problem-solving.
    • Demand for diffraction techniques continues to grow across all scientific disciplines.
    • Ongoing development of advanced radiation sources and detectors in Switzerland and globally.