How can we determine
atomic and nano
structures when they are
too small for any
microscope?
Updated September 2011
Diffraction
Cc by Nevit Dillman
Updated September 2011
Cc by KlaudiuMihaila
dif·frac·tion
–noun Physics .
the bending of waves, especially
sound and light waves, around
obstacles in their path.
Updated September 2011
Image by Lawrence Berkly National Laboratory
With diffraction, researchers do not see shadows or pictures
of the atomic structures. They see patterns resulting from the
light passing around the structures. Even thought they have
a good diffraction pattern, significant analysis is needed to
determine the true shape of the target.
Updated September 2011
Image from
Encyclopedia Britannica
In the 1950’s,
Rosalind Franklin
used x-ray
crystallography to
take a picture of the
diffraction pattern of
the DNA molecule.
Her work helped to
prove that the shape
of the molecule was
a double helix.
Image byNational Institutes of Heath
Updated September 2011
Cc by Richard Wheeler
Updated September 2011
Image by Othmar Marti
This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school
students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a
PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when
applicable.
The series was funded in part by:
The National Science Foundation
Grant DUE-0702976
and the
Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the
material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.
Updated September 2011
Image Credits
Dillman, Nevit. (Animator). Diffraction. [Animation]. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)
DNA X-Ray. [Photograph]. National Institutes of Health.
Franklin, Rosalind. [Photograph]. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/99712/Rosalind-Franklin
KlaudiuMihaila. (Illustrator). Electron Diffraction [Illustration]. Wikimedia Commons.
(commons.wikimedia.org)
Lawrence Berkley International Laboratory (Illustrator). X-Ray Diffraction Set Up. [Illustration]. Retrieved from
http://www.lbl.gov/publicinfo/newscenter/features/assets/img/aerogel/x-ray-diff-setup.jpg
Marti, Othmer. X-Ray Diffraction Patterns [Computer-Generated Image]. Retrieved from http://wwwex.physik.uniulm.de/snomweb/colloids/p2/node4.html
Wheeler, Richard. (Illustrator). A-DNA, B-DNA and Z-DNA. [Illustration]. Wikimedia Commons.
(commons.wikimedia.org)
Updated September 2011
References
diffraction. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved April 03, 2011, from
Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diffraction
Lisensky, George C., Nordell, Karen J., Condren, S. Michael, Widstrand, Cynthia G., Malone, Diana, Ellis, Arthur B.
(2001). Exploring the Nanoworld Activity Kit. Wisconsin: Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin
System.
Williams, Linda and Dr. Wade Adams. (2007). Nanotechnology Demystified. [Kindle Version] doi: 10.1036/0071460233
Wilson, Michael, Kanangara, Kamali, Smith, Geoff, Simmons, Michelle, & Raguse, Burkhard. Nanotechnology: Basic
Science and Emerging Technologies. (2004). [Kindle Edition] Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
Updated September 2011