Experimental methods for determining crystal structure

X-ray scattering

X-rays are scattered off the periodically arranged atoms, the particular ways the X-rays scatter give information about the location of atoms in the crystal lattice.

Electron scattering

Because electrons do have a wave nature, they can also be scattered off atoms in a crystal lattice, this process is similar to X-ray scattering. Some differences are that

1. Electrons used in this way have a smaller wavelength than X-rays, this allows for greater resolution.
2. The sample must be very thin, on the order of 100nm.