Diffraction Angle Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter the wavelength of the light you are using for diffraction (typically in the range of 400-700 nm for visible light).
2. Enter the lattice spacing of the material you are diffracting light through (in nanometers).
3. Select the diffraction order (m), which is typically 1 for first-order diffraction.
4. Click the "Calculate" button to compute the diffraction angle.

Understanding Diffraction and Bragg's Law

Diffraction is the bending of light around obstacles and the spreading of waves past small openings. In crystallography and materials science, diffraction is used to determine the structure of materials.

Bragg's Law describes the relationship between the wavelength of light, the lattice spacing of a crystal, and the angles at which diffraction occurs. It is given by the formula:

λ = m × 2d × sin θ

Where:

• λ is the wavelength of the light
• m is the diffraction order (an integer)
• d is the lattice spacing (distance between crystal planes)
• θ is the diffraction angle

This calculator solves for θ when λ, d, and m are known.

Applications of Diffraction

Diffraction techniques are fundamental in many scientific fields including:

• Crystallography - Determining the atomic structure of crystals
• Materials science - Analyzing material properties
• Spectroscopy - Studying the interaction of matter with electromagnetic radiation
• Optics - Designing diffraction gratings and other optical devices