Understanding Diffraction: X-rays vs Neutrons

This lecture delves into the intricacies of diffraction, comparing the use of x-rays and neutrons as probes to determine structural details of materials. The instructor explains how diffraction patterns can reveal information about crystal structures, unit cell dimensions, and interatomic distances. The lecture also covers the impact of particle size on diffraction patterns, the concept of preferred orientation, and the process of indexing to determine crystal structures. Additionally, the use of Bragg's Law and the Scherer equation for crystal size estimation are discussed. The lecture concludes by highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of using x-rays versus neutrons for diffraction experiments.