Patterson Function

The Patterson function is a mathematical tool used in crystallography to analyze the arrangement of atoms within a crystal. It works by calculating how often pairs of atoms occur at specific distances from each other, based on X-ray diffraction data. This results in a map that highlights the distances between atoms, helping scientists infer the three-dimensional structure of the crystal. Essentially, it translates complex diffraction patterns into a form that reveals the positions of atoms relative to each other without needing to directly see the atoms themselves.