Open AccessLawrence Bragg's interest in the deformation of metals and 1950–1953 in the Cavendish – a worm's‐eye view
Author(s) -
Kelly Anthony
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-5724
pISSN - 0108-7673
DOI - 10.1107/s0108767312034356
Subject(s) - crystal (programming language) , dislocation , optics , atmosphere (unit) , crystal plasticity , bragg's law , deformation (meteorology) , materials science , physics , condensed matter physics , plasticity , computer science , diffraction , meteorology , programming language , composite material
This paper recounts the atmosphere in the Cavendish Laboratory during Lawrence Bragg's triumphant final years there through the eyes and the work of a young research student, and hence reflects some measure of Bragg's personality. The opportunity is taken to deal in detail with Bragg's contribution to our understanding of crystal plasticity, which is seldom described, being overshadowed by his many superb contributions to the determination of crystal structure. Bragg produced in 1940–1942, through his development of the bubble model of a crystal structure, the first demonstration of how crystal dislocations move. His suggestion of the use of microbeams led rather directly to the development of modern thin‐film transmission electron microscopy.