Kinematic Scattering Factor Calculator

Overview

The Kinematic Scattering Factor Calculator is used in X-ray crystallography to determine how a crystal scatters X-rays at different wavelengths and scattering angles. This is fundamental for understanding atomic positions and electron density distributions in a crystal.

How to Use

1. Enter the wavelength of the X-ray radiation (λ) in Ångströms. Common X-ray wavelengths include 0.5418 Å (Cu Kα), 1.5406 Å (Mo Kα), and 1.7887 Å (Ag Kα).
2. Enter the scattering vector (q), which is related to the scattering angle by q = 4πsin(θ)/λ, where θ is half the scattering angle.
3. Enter the atomic number (Z) of the element.
4. Enter the atomic form factor (f₀) at q=0, which can be found in standard crystallographic tables.
5. Enter the atomic Debye-Waller factor (β), which accounts for thermal vibrations of atoms in the lattice.
6. Click the "Calculate" button to compute the kinematic scattering factor.

Applications

This calculator is essential for:

• Determining structure factors in X-ray diffraction experiments
• Calculating atomic positions from diffraction data
• Understanding the effect of temperature on crystal structure
• Analyzing the scattering properties of different elements

Important Notes

The accuracy of the results depends on the quality of the input parameters. The atomic form factors and Debye-Waller factors can vary with scattering vector, so using values appropriate for your specific conditions is important. For high precision work, consult recent crystallographic tables for the most accurate parameters.