10.
The X-ray Spectrometer
 To
examine the reflection of X-rays from crystals at various
angles, Bragg's father developed the X-ray spectrometer
in Leeds. X-rays were passed through slits to produce
a narrow beam, which fell on a crystal at the centre
of the spectrometer. The reflected beam was then measured
in an ionisation chamber, finding the strength as well
as direction of reflected beams.
By
changing the angle of the incident X-rays, W.H. Bragg
measured the reflections at different angles from the
faces of the crystal. He found that very strong reflections
occured at certain angles. These strong reflections
depended on the spacing of the planes of atoms inside
the crystal, according to his son Bragg's Law. By measuring
all the angles at which strong reflections occurred,
the Braggs worked out the arrangement of individual
atoms inside the crystals.
W.H.
Bragg continued to study X-rays and improve the X-ray
spectrometer, while his son Lawrence analysed the arrangements
of atoms inside different crystals. Together they created
the science of X-ray crystallography.
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