Early Days of X-ray Crystallography

2012 marked the centenary of one of the most significant discoveries of the early twentieth century, the discovery of X-ray diffraction (March 1912, by Laue, Friedrich, and Knipping) and of Bragg's law (November 1912). The discovery of X-ray diffraction confirmed the wave nature of X-rays and the space-lattice hypothesis. It had two major consequences: the analysis of the structure of atoms, and the determination of the atomic structure of materials. The momentous impact of the discovery in the fields of chemistry, physics, mineralogy, material science, biochemistry and biotechnology has been recognized by the General Assembly of the United Nations by establishing 2014 as the International Year of Crystallography. This book relates the discovery itself, the early days of X-ray crystallography, and the way the news of the discovery spread round the world. It explains how the first crystal structures were determined, and recounts which were the early applications of X-ray crystallography. It also tells how the concept of space lattice has developed since ancient times, and how our understanding of the nature of light has changed over time. The contributions of the main actors of the story, prior to the discovery, at the time of the discovery and immediately afterwards, are described through their writings and are put into the context of the time, accompanied by brief biographical details.

Table of Contents:
1: Significance of the discovery of X-ray diffraction 2: The various approaches to the concept of space lattice 3: The dual nature of light 4: Röntgen and the discovery of X-rays 5: The nature of X-rays: waves or corpuscles? 6: The discovery of X-ray diffraction and the birth of X-ray analysis 7: The first steps 8: The route to crystal structure determination 9: X-rays as a branch of optics 10: Early applications of X-ray crystallography 11: Unravelling the mystery of crystals - the forerunners 12: The birth and rise of the space-lattice concept

About the Author :
Authier André, Former student of Ecole Normale Supérieure, Visiting Fellow, M.I.T. USA 1955-1956 D.Sc. Paris University 1961 Associate Professor, Paris University (1965-1968) Full Professor, Paris University (1968-1997) Member of the German Academy of Sciences (Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina) Former president of the French Crystallographic and Mineralogical Societies Former President of the International Union of Crystallography (1990-1993) Officer of the Légion d'Honneur

Review :
`Readers of the Early Days of X-ray Crystallography from both camps will be rewarded by a thoroughly researched account on the multiple faces of a scientific specialty. Historians of science will find here a rich source for further study. Crystallographers will appreciate the lesson that the historical roots of their discipline are more ramified than it may appear from a mere rational reconstruction of ideas and concepts.' Michael Eckert, Metascience `I consider Authier's book as, at the present time and for a long time to come, the most complete History of Crystallography and the topics connected with it. It will be an indispensable tool for further research and a treasure trove for everybody interested in the history of scientific ideas' Dieter Schwarzenbach, Crystallography Reviews `André has created an historical tour de force: every page contains precious nuggets of much interest...This fluently written, scholarly treatise, covers not only the early days of X-ray crystallography but also it sets the historical context in the centuries leading up to the discovery of X-ray diffraction, and what followed therefrom. Historians of science will enjoy reading it, as will students and researchers in crystallography, chemistry, biochemistry, solid-state physics, materials science, and mineralogy.' Moreton Moore, Crystallography News `While maintaining its main goal of describing the historical and scientific context in which X-ray crystallography originated, the book is a well conceived excursion through the history of science in the 20th century. [] Brilliant and appropriate quotations, as subtitles of the chapters, and many figures, pictures, and short biographies of the main characters embellish the text. Interrelations among scientists, their collaborations and controversies over the proper interpretation of X-ray diffraction by crystals are presented in a fetching way: most famous and less famous scientists come in and out of the story at the appropriate moment and their contribution is clearly explained.' Chemistry International `To sum up, one of the leading players in the modern era of X-ray crystallography, Andre Authier, has produced with this book a work of true devotion and incomparable detail. I Found the book to be a captivating read. It should be studied by all with an interest in where we came from in our field of crystallographic science, and is a guide to where we are going.' John Helliwell, Acta Crystallographica `Professor Authier has exquisitely brought those Early Days to life, with a very human and entertaining account of the science, rigorously described, spiced with many little known personal and biographical details resulting in a story revealing how it really happened. The newcomers to the field will be exposed to a proud scientific enterprise and tradition that will be appreciated and treasured by the growing community of practitioners of the discipline that has produced a record number of Nobel prizes.' Joel Bernstein, Faculty of Science, New York University, Abu Dhabi `This is the definitive account of the discovery that truly changed our world. This thorough study, with its wealth of historical detail, should be required reading for everyone seriously interested in crystals. ' Marjorie Senechal, Smith College, Northampton, MA `The title of the volume underestimates the richness of its content, which is much larger. This clear, rigorous and well balanced review of the early developments of crystallography and X-ray diffraction will be indispensable for all students and scientists interested in the field.' Francesco Abbona, Università degli Studi di Torino `A comprehensive and enthralling opus of encyclopedic and historical character!' Helmut Klapper, Universität Bonn `This marvellously eclectic book provides and almost encyclopaedic source of how we know what we know about the structures and properties of crystals, and Andre Authier tells it with an intellectually and scientifically rigorous and constantly entertaining way. [] Since I received the book, it has provided many hours of delightful reading, browsing, and reminiscing, and has already served me well as a sourcebook for writing and lecturing. It documents a rich history and tradition of which all crystallographers should be proud, and it should enjoy a cherished place on the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in science, history, and the human role in creating the two.' Joel Bernstein, IUCr Newsletter 2014 `It is very clear that Authier has labored long and hard and as a result has done a good job presenting a history of crystallography' Joe Ferrara, ACA NetfleXions