What is it about?
In order to explain specific phenomena in powder X-ray diffraction, some ten years ago a modified theory for X-ray diffraction was proposed. After much digging, we found a major conceptual mistake in the new theory. This mistake led to features that seemed surprising and interesting, but need to be discarded.
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Why is it important?
X-ray diffraction has been used since 1915 and the theory has stood the test of time, so proposing a ‘new theory for X-ray diffraction’ seemed a bold step. Science makes progress by challenging earlier theories, but in this case we found the challenge has to be rejected. It is important that we have now a confirmation that the classic theory can still be used. In addition, the manuscript summarizes the main features of the classic theory for X-ray scattering and describes in detail the scattered intensity distribution in all directions, not only at the strong bulk Bragg peaks. This shows that almost always the residual intensity can be ignored.
Perspectives
Proving someone wrong is not the nicest job a scientist can do, but critical evaluation of earlier result remains essential for the progress in science. In this particular case, the discussion concerning the proposed new theory was lingering on, despite critical comments by other scientists in 2018. Our analysis has a different perspective and should put this discussion to rest.
Elias Vlieg
Radboud Universiteit
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Refuting `a new theory for X-ray diffraction' – a reciprocal-space approach, Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations and Advances, May 2025, International Union of Crystallography,
DOI: 10.1107/s2053273325000762.
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