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$X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples$ 01:10

X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples

X-ray diffraction or XRD is an analytical tool that utilizes X-rays to study ordered structures such as crystalline organic and inorganic samples, polycrystalline materials, proteins, carbohydrates, and drugs.
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal...

X-ray Crystallography

X-ray Crystallography

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...

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...

Three-Dimensional Microscopy in Microbiology

Three-Dimensional Microscopy in Microbiology

Three-dimensional imaging techniques are essential in cell biology, allowing researchers to visualize intricate cellular structures with high resolution. Two prominent methods, Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy (DIC) and Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy (CSLM), provide distinct advantages for imaging live and thick specimens, respectively.Differential Interference Contrast MicroscopyDIC microscopy enhances contrast in transparent, unstained samples by converting phase...

Scanning Electron Microscopy

Scanning Electron Microscopy

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 11, 2025

$Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples$

Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples

Published on: June 19, 2018

3D electron diffraction techniques.

Mauro Gemmi¹, Arianna E Lanza¹

¹Center for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa, 56127, Italy.

Acta Crystallographica Section B, Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials

|August 25, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Three-dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED) offers advanced structural analysis for nanocrystals. This study details overcoming challenges in 3D ED data collection and introduces new detector technologies for improved nanocrystal structure solution.

Keywords:

direct electron detectors electron crystallography electron diffraction electron diffraction tomography structure solution transmission electron microscopy

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Energy Dispersive X-ray Tomography for 3D Elemental Mapping of Individual Nanoparticles

Energy Dispersive X-ray Tomography for 3D Elemental Mapping of Individual Nanoparticles

Published on: July 5, 2016

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Crystallography
Electron Microscopy

Background:

Three-dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED) is a powerful, emerging technique for atomic-level structural determination of nanocrystalline materials.
Significant challenges exist in acquiring and processing 3D ED data for reliable structure solution.
Advancements in experimental methods and detector technology are crucial for unlocking the full potential of 3D ED.

Purpose of the Study:

To comprehensively review the challenges and solutions in 3D electron diffraction for nanocrystal structure analysis.
To discuss the progression from basic zone axis patterns to advanced 3D ED techniques.
To demonstrate the benefits of new hybrid detectors using a continuous rotation electron diffraction experiment.

Main Methods:

Review of established and emerging 3D electron diffraction techniques, including precession-assisted electron diffraction tomography and rotation electron diffraction.
Discussion of strategies to overcome data acquisition and processing challenges in 3D ED.
Experimental validation using continuous rotation electron diffraction on a natrolite nanocrystal with new hybrid detectors.

Main Results:

Detailed description of methods to enhance the quality and reliability of 3D electron diffraction data.
Demonstration of the pathway from zone axis patterns to sophisticated 3D ED acquisition schemes.
Successful proof-of-concept experiment showcasing the high sensitivity and fast readout of hybrid detectors in continuous rotation electron diffraction.

Conclusions:

3D electron diffraction is a rapidly developing technique with significant potential for nanocrystal structure solution.
Overcoming current challenges through advanced methods and detector technology is key to its broader application.
New hybrid detectors offer substantial advantages, enabling more efficient and accurate structural analysis of nanomaterials.