Scattering vector

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-010567",
  "term": "Scattering vector",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A vector representing the change in the wavevector between incident and scattered radiation in a scattering experiment. It is used to analyze data from techniques like small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) or neutron scattering (SANS) to determine the structure of materials at different length scales. The magnitude of the scattering vector, q, is given by the equation q = (4π/λ)sin(θ/2), where λ is the radiation wavelength and θ is the full scattering angle.",
  "subject": "Polymer",
  "see_also": [
    "wavelength"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Purple Book, 1st ed., p. 65 (http://old.iupac.org/publications/books/author/metanomski.html)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/scattering-vector/"
}