Bragg's Law (solving for d)

The Distance between Layers of Atom (Bragg's Law) calculator uses Bragg's Law equation (nλ = 2dsinθ) to compute the distance between layers of atoms based on the wavelength, angle of incidence and order of diffraction. 

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (λ) wavelength
• (n) order of diffraction
• (θ) the angle of incidence of the incoming x-ray

Distance between Layers of Atoms (d): The calculator returns the distance in nanometers (nm).  However, this can be automatically converted to other length units via the pull-down menu.

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: 

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

This calculator solves the formula for the distance between layers (d) in the following formula:

     d = nλ/(2 sinθ) 

Bragg's Law Calculators:

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

Snell's Law Calculators

• Angle of Transmission
• Angle of Incidence
• Refractive Index of Medium 1 (n₁)
• Refractive Index of Medium 2 (n₂)
• Critical Angle