The Basics of Crystallography and Diffraction

The present book provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the topics of crystallography and diffraction for undergraduate and beginning graduate students and lecturers in physics, chemistry, materials and earth sciences, but will also be of interest to the layperson who wishes to know about these topics beyond the level given in more general trade science books. The book shows how crystal structures may be built up from simple ideas of atomic packing and co-ordination, and develops the concepts of crystal symmetry, point and space groups by way of two-dimensional examples of patterns and tilings. Furthermore, the concept of the reciprocal lattice is explained in simple terms and its importance in an understanding of light, x-ray and electron diffraction shown. Finally, the book covers practical examples of the applications of these techniques, and describes the importance of diffraction in the performance of optical instruments. For this second edition, the existing material has been thoroughly updated, additional figures and exercises have been supplied and two new chapters added. From reviews on the 1/e: '... This is a timely, well-constructed book which should be seriously considered by every teacher of crystallography and can be recommended to anyone who wants to get to grips with crystallography and diffraction.' P. Goodhew, Journal of Microscopy, June 1998 'IUCr publications have always been outstanding for quality of presentation and exposition and this book maintains that high standard.' J.E. Chisholm, Mineralogical Magazine, February 1998