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327-2139-00L 3 Credits DR , MSC D-MATL , D-PHYS
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Diffraction Physics in Materials Science

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Rolf Erni
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:18

Abstract

The lecture focuses on diffraction and scattering phenomena in materials science beyond basic Bragg diffraction. Introducing the Born approximation and Kirchhoff’s theory, diffraction from ideal and non-ideal crystals is treated including, e.g., temperature and size effects, ordering phenomena, small-angle scattering and dynamical diffraction theories for both electron and X-ray diffraction.

Objective

• To become familiar with advanced diffraction phenomena in order to be able to explore the structure and properties of (solid) matter and their defects. • To be able to judge what type of diffraction method is suitable to probe what type of materials information. • To build up a generally applicable and fundamental theoretical understanding of scattering and diffraction effects. • To be able to identify limitations of the methods and the underlying theory which is commonly used to analyze diffraction data.

Content

The course provides a general introduction to advanced diffraction phenomena in materials science. The lecture series covers the following topics: derivation of a general scattering theory based on Green’s function as basis for the introduction of the first-order Born approximation; Kirchhoff’s diffraction theory with its integral theorem and the specific cases of Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction; diffraction from ideal crystals and diffraction from real crystals considering temperature effects expressed by the temperature Debye-Waller factor and by thermal diffuse scattering, atomic size effects expressed by the static Debye-Waller factor and diffuse scattering due to the modulation of the Laue monotonic scattering as a consequence of local order or clustering; the basics of small-angle scattering; and finally approaches used to treat dynamical diffraction are introduced. In addition, the specifics of X-ray, electron and neutron scattering are being discussed. The course is complemented by a lab visit, selected exercises and short topical presentations given by the participants.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Full-text script is available covering within about 100 pages the core topics of the lecture and all necessary derivations.

Literature

- Diffraction Physics, 3rd ed., J. M. Cowley, Elsevier, 1994. - X-Ray Diffraction, B. E. Warren, Dover, 1990. - Diffraction from Materials, 2nd ed., L. H. Schwartz, J. B. Cohen, Springer, 1987. - X-Ray Diffraction – In Crystals, Imperfect Crystals and Amorphous Bodies, A. Guinier, Dover, 1994. - Aberration-corrected imaging in transmission electron microscopy, 2nd ed., R. Erni, Imperial College Press, 2015.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Diffraction Physics in Materials Science
10-12 lecture, 12-13 exercises
  • Mon 09:45-12:30 (HIT J 52)
3 h weekly

Offered In

  • Materialwissenschaft Master
    • Wahlfächer (Den Studierenden steht das gesamte Lehrangebot der ETH Zürich auf Master-Stufe zur Auswahl offen. Bitte wenden Sie sich bei Unklarheiten ans Studiensekretariat.)
  • Physik Master
    • Wahlfächer
      • Allgemeine Wahlfächer (Den Studierenden steht das gesamte Lehrangebot der ETH Zürich zur individuellen Auswahl offen - mit folgenden Einschränkungen: Lehrveranstaltungen aus den ersten beiden Studienjahren eines Bachelor-Curriculums der ETH Zürich sowie Lehrveranstaltungen aus GESS "Wissenschaft im Kontext" sind nicht als allgemeines Wahlfach anrechenbar. Die Dozierenden folgender Lehrveranstaltungen empfehlen sie ausdrücklich den Studierenden der Physik. (Für die Lehrveranstaltungen in dieser Liste können Sie die Kategorie "Allgemeine Wahlfächer" direkt in myStudies zuordnen. Für die Kategoriezuordnung anderer zugelassener Lehrveranstaltungen lassen Sie bei der Prüfungsanmeldung "keine Kategorie" ausgewählt und wenden Sie sich nach dem Verfügen des Prüfungsresultates an das Studiensekretariat ( ).))
  • Doktorat Materialwissenschaft (Weitere Informationen unter: )