Course Introduction
Teaching Content: This course provides students with a foundation in crystallography, beginning with optical diffraction to introduce diffraction phenomena and principles, and then focusing on X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction phenomena and theory, as well as their applications in materials analysis and research. For X-ray diffraction of crystals, the course covers different diffraction geometries, the Laue equations, Bragg’s law, and the Ewald construction method, discussing their similarities and differences. Both kinematic diffraction theory and various forms of dynamical diffraction theory will be introduced. For electron diffraction of crystals, the course systematically introduces the physical processes and mathematical formulations of electron diffraction, high-resolution electron microscopy imaging, and diffraction contrast imaging. Topics include the basics of physical optics and mathematical methods for information transfer, the kinematic theory of electron diffraction, and the physical processes and mathematical expressions of phase-contrast imaging in electron microscopy.
Course Features: Primarily lecture-based, supplemented with a moderate amount of homework assignments.
Teaching Objectives: By the end of the course, students will have a fundamental understanding of crystallography and the basic theories of X-ray and electron diffraction. They will master concepts of crystal structures and lattice structures, gain an introductory understanding of point groups and space groups, understand the kinematic theories of X-ray and electron beams, and acquire knowledge of various diffraction techniques and their applications in materials research.
References
(1) Ma Shiliang, X-ray Diffraction of Metals, Northwestern Polytechnical University Press, 1997.
(2) Liang Jingkui, Crystal Structure Determination by Powder Diffraction, Science Press, 2003 Edition.
