Implications of X-ray diffraction

Abhishek Sahu, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kalinga University, Naya Raipur,492001

Email-abhishek.sahu@kalingauniversity.ac.in

With broad ramifications regarding our comprehension of the natural world and our capacity to develop new materials and technologies, X-ray diffraction is a fundamental component underlying current scientific and technological developments. It is certainly deserving of its reputation for being one among most prominent discoveries of the 20th century, considering its enormous influence on scientific advancement, technical innovation, and human growth. XRD is a rigorous analytical approach employed in many scientific fields to identify the atomic and molecular structure based on the principals of diffraction

Max von Laue, a German physicist, proved that X-rays were capable of being diffracted by crystals in 1912, which marked the beginning of X-ray diffraction history. This important finding established the groundwork for contemporary X-ray crystallography. Soon after, Bragg’s reports the relationship between the angles of incidence and diffraction for X-rays interacting with a crystal lattice. The Braggs received the 1915 Nobel Prize in Physics as a result of this discovery, which enabled them to determine crystal formations. With improvements in X-ray sources, detectors, and data analysis techniques, X-ray diffractography (XRD) has developed into an effective analytical technique throughout the years.

X-ray diffraction has numereous implications for industrial applications, scientific study, and technological advancement. The crystallography characteristics of many materials, including as metals, ceramics, polymers, and semiconductors, are examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD is a crucial tool in pharmaceutical manufacturing for analysing the crystalline structure of medicinal molecules. Earth Sciences and Geology: X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a vital tool for analysing geological samples, including rocks, minerals, and soil. It facilitates the understanding of geological processes like weathering, metamorphism, and mineral production as well as the identification of mineral composition and crystalline arrangement.By revealing an understanding of the links between a material’s structure and properties, XRD helps to further research and development in the field of materials science. Nanomaterials, such as thin films, nanocomposites, and nanoparticles, are characterised using XRD. By assisting in the determination of crystal structure, particle size, and orientation, it helps researchers comprehend and regulate the characteristics of nanomaterials for use in biomedicine, electronics, catalysis, and sensing. Future developments in a variety of sectors are expected to be fueled by its ongoing advancement as well as collaboration with compatible analytical techniques, which will deepen our comprehension of materials.