Precision Determination of Cell Dimensions by the Back-Reflexion Weissenberg Method

Abstract

ALTHOUGH it provides an elegant and accurate means of determining crystal lattice parameters, the back-reflexion Weissenberg method has not been widely used since it was first proposed in 1937 ^1,2. Originally a special camera was built for taking back-reflexion Weissenberg photographs, and it is presumably the lack of this instrument in most crystallographic laboratories that accounts for the neglect of the method. However, a special camera is not necessary as an ordinary (and widely available) front-reflexion Weissenberg camera can be easily converted into a back-reflexion instrument. The method of conversion described below applies specifically to front-reflexion Weissenberg cameras of the type described by Buerger², and may require modification before it can be applied to other designs.