An Introduction to X-ray Crystallography [Paperback]

Michael M. Woolfson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 13, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0521423597 | ISBN-13: 978-0521423595 | Edition: 2

A textbook for the senior undergraduate or graduate student beginning a serious study of X-ray crystallography. It will be of interest both to those intending to become professional crystallographers and to those physicists, chemists, biologists, geologists, metallurgists and others who will use it as a tool in their research. All major aspects of crystallography are covered--the geometry of crystals and their symmetry, theoretical and practical aspects of diffracting X-rays by crystals and how the data may be analyzed to find the symmetry of the crystal and its structure. Includes recent advances such as the synchrotron as a source of X-rays, methods of solving structures from power data and the full range of techniques for solving structures from single-crystal data. Computer programs are provided for carrying out many operations of data-processing and solving crystal structures including by direct methods. These programs are required for many of the examples given at the end of each chapter but can be used to create new examples by which students can test themselves or each other.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'... compulsory reading ... extensively revised and updated ... Woolfson was, and remains, a pioneer in this field. His work has revolutionised chemical crystallography ... In summary, this book complements a number of texts in the field destined for advanced undergraduates and postgraduates, making it indispensable reading. The availability of a paperback version at a quite reasonable price serves to reinforce this. No crystallography laboratory should be without it.' Chris Gilmore, Chemistry in Britain

'... a comprehensive text of fundamental principles and theory ... I would wholeheartedly recommend this as a solid formal text for the serious X-ray crystallographer.' Keith D. Rogers, Crystallography News

'... the new edition has been brought bang up to date with modern crystallographic techniques ... I am delighted to welcome back this authoritative and highly readable textbook.' David C. Palmer, Geological Magazine

' ... highly recommendable to everybody who wishes to understand what he (or she) does when pressing the return key.' P. Luger, Zeitschrift für Kristallographie

Book Description

All major aspects of crystallography are covered-the geometry of crystals and their symmetry, theoretical and practical aspects of diffracting X-rays by crystals and how the data may be analyzed to find the symmetry of the crystal and its structure.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (January 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521423597
• ISBN-13: 978-0521423595
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,308,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat outdated, November 21, 2010

By 

Bernhard Rupp (California, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to X-ray Crystallography (Paperback)

Despite being a new edition, the book is somewhat outdated and many modern concepts or instrumentation descriptions are missing, particularly so for macromolecular crystallography. I bought it largely for completeness of my X-ray literature collection as it is a classic. For rapid overview about general crystallography, the IUCr monograph edited by C. Giacovazzo perhaps is more modern and suitable.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars first course in the field, January 8, 2008

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to X-ray Crystallography (Paperback)

For an undergraduate wanting a first course in crystallography, Woolfson furnishes an eloquent read. The text covers all the salient topics needed for a general understanding of the field. A combination of theory and experiment.

Thus the explanations of the Bravais lattice and the theory of finite groups. With 230 space groups. The 7 basic crystal structures, from orthogonal to trigonal and others, are easy to understand if you follow the descriptions and think in terms of axes of symmetry. The maths level in the book is not too challenging, if you have had a course in quantum mechanics.

The experimental sections of the book deal with how to prepare samples. Single crystal or powder. And then the various apparatus configurations and the resultant data. The analysis of that data is now very highly developed and heavily computational. But the principles of the analysis are straightforward.

Don't worry about the book being 10 years old. It's an introductory text and the gist of the material hasn't changed significantly for decades.