diffraction data

Diffraction data refers to information obtained when waves, such as X-rays, pass through a material and scatter in specific patterns. These patterns occur because the waves interact with the internal structure of the material, highlighting how atoms are arranged. By analyzing the diffraction patterns, scientists can determine the three-dimensional structure of crystals and molecules, such as proteins or minerals. This technique is fundamental in fields like chemistry and biology for understanding how substances are built at the atomic level. Essentially, diffraction data is a map that reveals the detailed internal architecture of a material.