Dr.Rao, VIIT, Physics, Fast Track.

Crystal Planes and X-ray diffraction techniques

CRYSTAL PLANES AND X-RAY DIFFRACTION TECHNIQUES

CRYSTAL PLANES
A crystal plane is formed by simply joining of lattice points. The distance between any two
successive planes is interplanar spacing (d).
MILLER INDICES
Miller indices are the smallest integers (h k l) that represent a plane.
Obtaining or finding Miller indices
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)

First determine the intercepts on crystallographic axis

Take reciprocals
Multiply with L.C.M of denominators
Place them in close curved brackets as (h k l)

Important features of Miller indices

i)
Family of planes has same Miller indices
ii)
Plane parallel to any one of the axis, its intercept is infinity and Miller index is zero.

iii)
Any Miller index is negative represent by putting bar on it (ex : -3 as 3 )
iv)

For same Miller indices, plane and direction are always perpendicular.

SOME IMPORTANT BASIC PLANES AND DIRECTIONS

Note : i) Two miller indices are zero, plane is a square (ex : 1 0 0) ii)One miller index is zero,
plane is a rectangle (ex : 1 1 0) iii) None is zero, plane is triangle (ex :1 1 1).

Dr.Rao, VIIT, Physics, Fast Track. Crystal Planes and X-ray diffraction techniques

DISTANCE OF SEPARATION BETWEEN THE PLANES (OR) DETERMINE THE

2
INTERPLANAR
SPACING (d) IN CUBIC CRYSTAL
In a cubic crystal,
First plane intercepts are

a
h

b
k

c
l

and second plane intercepts are

2a
h

2c
l

From Origin (o) to first plane (ABC):

Distance is d1 found by using direction cosines as
Cos2

+ Cos2

h d1
=
Here Cos
a

+ Cos2

k d1
=
, Cos
b

Substituting and simplifying, we get,

= 1,

l d1

=
, Cos
c
d1

a
= h +k 2+ l 2 .
2

From Origin(o) to second plane (ABC):

Distance is d2 found by using direction cosines as
Cos2

+ Cos2

h d2
Here Cos = 2 a

+ Cos2

, Cos

k2
2b

Substituting and simplifying, we get,

= 1,

l d2
, Cos = 2 c
d2

2a
h +k 2+ l2 .
2

a
Therefore, distance of separation between the planes (d) = d2 d1 = h + k 2+ l 2 .
2

BRAGGS LAW

2b
k

Dr.Rao, VIIT, Physics, Fast Track. Crystal Planes and X-ray diffraction techniques

Statement: Diffracted X-rays from a crystal give bright spot on screen if path difference of X3
rays

2dsin = n
Proof:
From triangle ABC and ACD
Path difference (BC+CD) = n
= dsin + dsin = n
= 2dsin = n