diffractometer

American

[dih-frak-tom-i-ter, dif-rak-] / dɪ frækˈtɒm ɪ tər, ˌdɪf ræk- /

noun

Physics.

an instrument that is used to study atomic crystal structure by measuring the angles at which x-rays, neutrons, or electrons are diffracted by matter.

diffractometer British

/ ˌdɪfrækˈtɒmɪtə /

noun

physics an instrument used in studying diffraction, as in the determination of crystal structure by diffraction of X-rays

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of diffractometer

1905–10; diffract + -o- + -meter

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

An X-ray diffractometer, such as the one illustrated in Figure 10.65, may be used to measure the angles at which X-rays are diffracted when interacting with a crystal as described earlier.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

A diffractometer using X-rays with a wavelength of 0.2287 nm produced first order diffraction peak for a crystal angle θ = 16.21°.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Experiments were carried out at 100 K using an Xcalibur Eos diffractometer.

From Nature • Mar. 28, 2017

XRD patterns of MFI membranes were recorded by using a PANalytical X’Pert Pro diffractometer with Cu Kα radiation.

From Nature • Mar. 14, 2017

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023