Crystal Structure Determination (Hardcover)

~ (Author), R.O. Gould (Translator) "To solve a crystal structure means to determine the precise spatial arrangements of all of the atoms in a chemical compound in the crystalline state..." (more)
Key Phrases: atom formfactors, numerical absorption correction, wrong space group, International Tables, Determination of the Space Group, Fo-Fc Highest (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews:

"Distinguished by its attention to the practicalities of working with real crystals…a lucid and relatively concise account of modern crystal structure solution …valuable to anyone who has an interest in crystal structure refinement." The Geological Journal

"The book provides a nice balance between describing the mathematical fundamentals and offering practical advice on how to solve a crystal structure… appropriate for an undergraduate audience (particularly in chemistry) and for graduate students or researchers who find they need a better grasp of the subject… a very helpful addition to the collection of introductory texts in X-ray crystallography. Especially for its treatment of common errors in the collection of intensity data and in the interpretation of results."

Acta Crystallographica

"Details at great length the inherent pitfalls and errors that one may encounter when calculating crystal structures using new software programs. The author does an excellent job of describing these errors and ways to recognize them when they appear in your calculations… Dr. Massa also lists the latest, most up-to-date crystallographic databases available on CD-ROM along with a brief description of each." Mineralium Deposita

From the reviews of the second edition:

"This textbook gives a concise introduction to modern crystal structure determination … . The theoretical sections are supported by many illustrations, and lay emphasis on a good understanding … . The most important data collection techniques … are discussed from a practical point of view. Many tips and insights help readers to recognise and avoid possible errors and traps, and to judge the quality of results." (Chimie Nouvelle Societe Royale de Chimie, Vol. 23 (89), juin, 2005)

 

Product Description

This textbook gives a concise introduction to modern crystal structure determination, emphasizing both the crystallographic background and how to actually perform it. The theoretical sections give more importance to providing good understanding, supported by many illustrations, than to rigorously deriving the mathematics. The most important measuring techniques, including the use of modern area detectors, and the methods of data reduction, structure solution and refinement are discussed from a practical point of view. Many tips and insights help readers to recognize and avoid possible errors and traps, and to judge the quality of results. The second edition has been completely updated and extended, especially the chapter on structure interpretation.

From the reviews of the first edition ?

Product Details

• Hardcover: 210 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 2nd completely updated ed. edition (March 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540206442
• ISBN-13: 978-3540206446
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #692,192 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful tool for all dealing with structure determination, September 12, 2001

By	Andreas Fischer "Andif" (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Crystal Structure Determination (Paperback)

Single crystal structure determination has become an important and extremely powerful tool not only for inorganic and structural chemists but for all kinds of chemists interested in the structures of their compounds. The major disadvantage of this method was hitherto the lack of useful introductions into it's practical use.
This gap has been filled by Massa's book.
It focuses - unlike other crystallography books - on the practical applications and enables the reader to attack own structural problems by himself. Additionally, this book will provide the necessary theoretical background to understand how X-ray diffraction works, how crystals are built, all this symmetry stuff and so on.
The absolute highlight is, however, the step-by-step explanation of a structure determination, where one can almost see the author sitting in front of his computer and struggling with one of his structures, explaining every step in detail.
Crystallography still needs heavy brain work sometimes. But this book won't cause unnecessary headaches as many other crystallography books do.
Therefore, I recommend this book warmly to my crystallography students.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book Doctors Recommend Most, August 14, 2005

By	Dr. Peter Muller (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the ideal book for the beginner and in my opinion a must-read. In the excellent translation by Robert O. Gould, "Crystal Structure Determination" by Werner Massa explains all the basics from symmetry in real and reciprocal space, over generation of X-rays and other practical aspects, all the way to structure solution and refinement. Massa keeps the book simple and understandable and uses mathematical formulae carefully and only when helpful or necessary.
I learned the basics of crystallography from the German original of "the Massa". Now that I am a teacher of crystallography myself, this is the book I recommend to my students.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast and in great condition, March 13, 2009

By	Aubrey Sperier (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got it before class started and I only ordered it like a week before, so I was pleased with the speed and condition. Although it was only slightly cheaper than the book store, at least I was buying it from someone else.