Incident beam direction refers to the trajectory along which an incoming beam of X-rays or neutrons travels when it strikes a crystal. This direction is crucial in the analysis of crystal structures, as it determines how the beam interacts with the atoms in the crystal lattice, impacting diffraction patterns and the resulting data. The incident beam direction directly relates to concepts such as the Ewald sphere and reciprocal lattice, providing insights into how waves scatter and create constructive or destructive interference.
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