-THEORETICAL PART OF THE COURSE
*STRUCTURE OF MATERIALS* (hours: 8)
Introduction – Crystalline state of matter – Subject of crystallography. Point symmetry groups – Crystal classes. Lattice, unit cell, crystallographic axes – Crystal systems, types of lattices. Crystallographic planes. Space symmetry groups. Basic types of crystal structures.
*X-RAYS* (hours: 8)
Atomic structure: Atomic spectra. Excitation and de-excitation of atoms. Introduction – Historical overview of X-rays. Nature of X-rays. Production of X-rays. X-ray tubes – X-ray generators. X-ray spectroscopy. Continuous and line spectrum – Characteristic radiation – K, L, M, N series. Absorption spectrum. Absorption of X-rays by matter. Monochromatization of X-rays.
*SCATTERING AND DIFFRACTION OF X-RAYS*(hours: 8)
Interference and coherence of light – Exercises. Diffraction of light – Exercises. Scattering of X-rays – Scattering by an atom. Atomic structure factor or scattering factor of the atom. Diffraction of X-rays by crystals. Description of diffraction using Bragg’s equation. Description of diffraction using the reciprocal Bragg formulation. Kinematic theory of X-ray diffraction by crystals. Structure factor. Systematic absences of diffraction peaks – Examples.
*CORRELATION OF X-RAYS WITH CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC DATA* (hours: 8)
Experimental methods and applications of X-ray techniques in the investigation of the structure of materials. Qualitative and quantitative analysis. Principles of crystal structure determination.
-LABORATORY PART OF THE COURSE
*LAB EXERCISE 1: ANALYSIS OF THE X-RAY SPECTRUM.*
The aim of Exercise 1 is familiarization with the X-ray diffraction setup (X-ray diffractometer, Bragg’s method) as well as understanding the operation of an X-ray tube and its emission spectrum.
*LAB EXERCISE 2: CALCULATION OF λKα AND λKβ OF THE X-RAY SOURCE.*
The aim of Exercise 2 is to understand the X-ray diffraction pattern (I–θ) of a single crystal.
*LAB EXERCISE 3: CALCULATION OF THE CUBIC UNIT CELL PARAMETER BASED ON THE MODE OF ION CONTACT.*
The aim of Exercise 3 is the determination of the lattice constant (a) of a cubic unit cell in a face-centered lattice F (NaCl-type), using two assumptions regarding the way the ions are in contact.
*LAB EXERCISE 4: POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIALS (Bragg and Debye–Scherrer methods).*
The aim of Exercise 4 is the evaluation of crystal diffraction patterns (monoatomic element) of cubic symmetry obtained using the Debye–Scherrer method. By evaluation it is meant that, with the help of the diffraction patterns, the material must be characterized in terms of lattice type (P, I, F), the unit cell constant must be calculated, and the type of atoms composing it must be identified.
*LAB EXERCISE 5: IDENTIFICATION AND DISTINCTION OF CRYSTALLINE PHASES & STUDY OF AMORPHOUS MATERIALS.*
The aim of Exercise 5 is familiarization with diffraction patterns using the Bragg–Brentano method, both for the identification and differentiation of crystalline phases and for the study of amorphous materials.