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Bragg's Law (solving for wavelength)

λ=2dsin(θ)n
(n)Order of diffraction
(d)Distance between layers of atoms
(θ)Angle of incidence
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The Wavelength (Bragg's Law) calculator uses Bragg's Law equation (nλ = 2dsinθ) to compute the wavelength (λ) of ray based on the distance between layers of atoms, angle of incidence and order of diffraction. 

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the preferred units and enter the following:

  • (d) the distance between layers of atoms
  • (n) order of diffraction
  • (θ) the angle of incidence of the incoming x-ray

Wavelength:(λ) The calculator returns the wavelength in nanometers (nm).  However, this can be automatically converted to other length units via the pull-down menu.

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The Math / Science

The Bragg's Law equation is used in chemistry to help describe the scattering effects when an x-ray is shone onto a crystal lattice, and is often used for X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). If the crystal structure is known, then Bragg's Law can be used to calculate the wavelength of the x-rays hitting its surface. However, if the crystal structure is unknown, then the incoming x-ray information can be used to calculate details about the crystal lattice structure. This information is useful to chemists and can provide data on new crystal lattice structures.  Bragg's Law is represented in the following formula:

      nλ = 2dsinθ

where: 

This calculator solves the Bragg's Law formula for the wavelength (λ) in the following formula:

      λ = 2dsinθ/n 

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