low-energy electron diffraction
Quick Summary
Low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) is a technique used in physics to study the surface of solid materials. It relies on the principle that electrons, like light, can behave as waves. When a beam of low-energy electrons interacts with the atoms on a crystal's surface, they scatter and interfere, creating a diffraction pattern.1
This pattern is unique to the arrangement of atoms on the surface and can be analyzed to determine the surface's structure, including the types of atoms present and their positions. LEED is a powerful tool for understanding the atomic-scale properties of surfaces, which are crucial in fields like materials science and chemistry.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
