Electron diffraction patterns

Electron diffraction patterns occur when a beam of electrons passes through a thin material and interacts with its atomic structure. Because electrons behave both as particles and waves, they diffract—spread out—similar to light passing through a prism. This creates a pattern of bright and dark spots that reveal the arrangement of atoms in the material. Scientists use this pattern to determine the material's microscopic structure, as the pattern’s geometry reflects the distances and angles between atoms. In essence, electron diffraction provides a window into the internal atomic layout of crystalline substances.