Crystallography (from the Greek words crystallon = cold drop / frozen drop, with its meaning extending to all solids with some degree of transparency, and graphein = write) is the experimental science of determining the arrangement of atoms in solids. In older usage, it is the scientific study of crystals.
Before the development of X-ray diffraction crystallography (see below), the study of crystals was based on the geometry of the crystals. This involves measuring the angles of crystal faces relative to theoretical reference axes (crystallographic axes), and establishing the symmetry of the crystal in question. The former is carried out using a goniometer. The position in 3D space of each crystal face is plotted on a stereographic net, e.g. Wolff net or Lambert net. In fact, the pole to each face is plotted on the net. Each point is labelled with its Miller index. The final plot allows the symmetry of the crystal to be established.
Crystallographic methods now depend on the analysis of the diffraction patterns that emerge from a sample that is targeted by a beam of some type. The beam is not always electromagnetic radiation, even though X-rays are the most common choice. For some purposes electrons or neutrons are used, which is possible due to the wave properties of the particles. Crystallographers often explicitly state the type of illumination used when referring to a method, as with the terms X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and electron diffraction.
More on [ Crystallography ]
Structure :: Inorganic
Geochemistry :: Earth Sciences
Minerals :: Rocks and Minerals
Condensed Matter :: Physics

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Crystal Lattice Structures - A list of the possible crystal structures with a diagram of each type.
Crystal Lattice Structures - A list of the possible crystal lattice structures and coordinates of atoms in such crystals.
Crystal Research and Technology - International journal examining all aspects of research within experimental, industrial and theoretical crystallography.
Meta Description: [ Crystal Research and Technology is an international journal covering all aspects of modern crystal growth phenomena and examing research within experimental, industrial, theoretical, and biological crystallography. ]
Crystal Structures - VRML crystal structures at the Institute Laue - Langevin.
Crystallography World Wide - WEB directory by IUCr.
Denver X-ray Conference - Provides a unique mixture of sessions on training, education, and applications and papers containing details about state-of-the-art techniques and future developments in X-ray analysis.
Protein Crystallography - Focused news, events, interviews, suppliers information and jobs related to protein crystallography.
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Symmation - Accurate 3D medical/molecular/scientific animations and illustrations.
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World Database of Crystallographers - The IUCr free searchable online Directory of crystallographers and of other scientists employing crystallographic methods. Some functions require an IUCr password.
What We Really Do In Crystallography:The strange rituals of Oxford University's secret crystallographic cult: unveiled |