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Electron Diffraction
Do moving electrons display wave nature?
To answer this question you will direct a beam of electrons through a thin layer of carbon and analyze the resulting pattern.
Theory
Louis de Broglie originated the idea that moving electrons may exhibit both particle and wave nature. He proposed that, analogous to photons, the wavelength of the electron is given by:
λ =
h p
h m v (^) (1)
where h is Planck's constant and p = mv is the nonrelativistic electron momentum.
This experiment is an attempt to see whether electrons really do act like waves or whether they always act like particles.
If electrons behave as particles (rigid spheres), the distribution of electrons will vary continuously as a function of angle as in Figure 1. This distribution will vary only slightly with changes in electron energy.
electron beam
carbon target
I(θ
θ
Figure 1. Particle Model Diffraction. Continuous distribution of electrons as a function of angle.
If electrons behave as a wave , however, a diffraction pattern will emerge. We can make an analogy with the diffraction of x-rays by a crystal.
Review of x-ray diffraction
Crystals act as three-dimensional gratings; they scatter the wave and produce observable interference effects. In fact, x-rays scatter from the lattice planes (or Bragg planes) of the crystal as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Electron Waves Reflected from Atomic Planes.
There are two conditions for constructive interference of waves:
- The angle of incidence must equal the angle of reflection
- The difference in path length must be an integral number of wavelengths
n λ = 2 d sin θ. Bragg’s Law (2)
where n is an integer and is the order of diffraction.
By looking at the diffraction pattern and calculating the angle of diffraction, Bragg’s Law allows us to determine either:
- the wavelength of the x-rays if the crystal structure is known, or
- the interatomic spacing of the crystal if the x-ray wavelength is known.
The second method is often used to determine the structure of an unknown crystal by performing an x-ray diffraction experiment.
If electrons act like waves, we should be able to apply Bragg’s Law to the diffraction of electrons. In that case the beam would appear as concentric rings around a bright
which means that the carbon consists of a large number of microcrystals that are randomly oriented. This allows us to sample all possible angles of incidence without changing the direction of the electron beam. If electrons act like a wave, different atomic planes will produce constructive interference and the resulting electron diffraction pattern will consist of concentric rings – one for each plane that satisfies the Bragg’s Law for constructive interference, as in Figure 3. If electrons act like particles the pattern will be as shown in Figure 1. Diffraction caused by the nickel mesh may be neglected.
LUMINESCENT SCREEN
After leaving the target, diffracted electrons travel a certain distance ( L ) and strike a phosphor screen. The screen is excited by the electrons, allowing you to see the pattern made by the scattered electrons.
Since the screen is inside a sphere, you should use a flexible ruler to take measurements off the screen.
Procedure
Use the following diagram to connect the electron diffraction tube to its power supplies.
R
cathode anode
heater (^) carbon target
Screen
ammete
A
6.3 V ac
2 mm plug
0-5000 V dc
V (^) a
5 kV POWER SUPPLY
G
F
F
C
Figure 4. Electron Diffraction Experiment Diagram.
CONNECTIONS
Make sure all power is off (all equipment) before making any connections.
Connect the electron diffraction tube to the power supply as shown.
er
Connect the multimeter (ammeter) between the anode and the positive side of the high voltage power supply.
Set the multimeter to its current scale (mA) and turn it on.
Make sure the high voltage supply is set to its minimum. Turn on the power and wait for one minute for the cathode to reach a stable temperature.
CONTROLLING THE CURRENT
Normal operating current should be kept between 0.05 to 0.10 mA during measurements, and the voltage should be kept below 4.0 kV. Higher currents can damage the carbon target. If it becomes necessary to exceed these levels, make your measurements quickly and decrease the voltage as soon as you obtain your results.
DO NOT EXCEED 0.20 mA current.
Slowly increase the high voltage until you observe a pattern (around 2000 volts). Monitor the current closely.
Questions
Pre-laboratory assignment
- Geometric analysis
Using the Figure 5 below, find a geometric relation between D , L and angle φ in
triangle OAB. You may assume that the angle φ is small.
carbon target
L
A
D/
B
o
2. Express the wavelength λ of the electron as a function of the accelerating potential
V a -- using the de Broglie relation (1) and relation (3).
3. Express the wavelength of the electron as a function of φ -- using Bragg’s relation (2).
Be sure to keep in mind the relation between θ and φ.
Analysis
1. Make a plot of 1/ V a versus D for each ring. Does a straight line fit your data? If so, use the value of the slope to calculate the plane separation d that corresponds to each ring (use question 4 from the pre-laboratory assignment). The length L is given to be L =0.14m. 2. If the crystal structure of carbon is cubic, what would be the spacing of the atoms? Assume a density of 2 g/cm^3 and note that 12 grams of carbon contain Avogadro’s number of atoms. Compare the theoretical value with the value you obtained in your experiment and comment on its accuracy.
- In question 1 of the pre-laboratory assignment you are given a relation between L, D, and f by extrapolating. In reality the screen has a radius of curvature of R=0.066m which is not equal to L and makes the geometry a bit more complicated. One can show that the relation between L, R, D and φ is:
φ = arctan
R sin( D 2 R
L − R + R cos( D 2 R
Use geometric analysis to show this relation.
carbon target
L-R
R
L
x^ D/
Check that by setting R equal to L we find the same relation as in question 1 of the pre laboratory assignment.
φ
- Using your measurements of D at different voltages, evaluate the interatomic spacing d for each ring (make an average evaluation of d for each ring).
V
λ
1 st^ D
2 nd D
3 rd D
5. Does this correction improve the agreement with the theoretical value of d you found in question 2?
BONUS QUESTIONS:
- What acceleration potential V a (approximately) should you apply to the electrons to produce a 1st^ order (n=1) ring at 20° (use simple geometry for that and keep in mind
the relation between θ and φ).
- In a diffraction experiment with ordinary light (wavelength of order 5000A), a grating is made by scratching thin lines on glass. Why doesn’t that work well for electrons or x-rays?
