Diffraction and Wave interference

Microscopic Characterization
Category General
Difficulty Level Normal
Audience Level General
Description Microscopic characterization methods refer to scientific techniques Which allow determination of both composition and structure of a material. Optical microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and electron microscopy are known as microscopic techniques. This course illustrates how microscopic characterization techniques are used.
Overview
Microscopic methods play an essential role in nanomaterials characterization. Microscopic and X-ray based characterization of nanomaterials techniques are used for the determination of surface morphology and dispersion characteristics of nanomaterials. This course deals with details of these aspects, and will provide a fundamental understanding of morphological tools, such as instrumentation, sample preparation and different kinds of analyses, etc.


Booklet
Description
 Diffraction is the tendency of a wave emitted from a finite source or passing through a finite aperture to spread out as it propagates. Wave interference is the process in which two or more light, sound, or electromagnetic waves of the same frequency combine to reinforce or cancel each other. Destructive interference occurs when the maximum of two waves are 180 degrees out of phase. When in phase, the two lower waves create constructive interference, resulting in a wave of greater amplitude.
Mental Challenge
 What is the difference between diffraction and interference? 
Quizzes and Activities
 Activity: Sketch the process of diffraction and interference using an example. 
Further Reading Sources

1.  http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/D/Destructive+Interference

2. https://www.iitk.ac.in/che/pdf/resources/XRD-reading-material.pdf  

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Section 5

Section 6

Section 7

Section 8