While it is true that there is no difference between Rayleigh and Bragg
scattering in many respects, this is only part of the answer. Bragg
diffraction
as used for x-ray diffraction refers primarily to the case when the wave
scattered from different regions add coherently to give a large nett
intensity.
Rayleigh scattering is, I think, more for the case when the scattering
from different regions adds incoherently. A loose analogy would be to
compare Rayleigh scattering to what one has from an amorphous material,
versus Bragg diffraction from a crystal.
--
Laurence Marks
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Northwestern University
fax: (847) 491-7820
mailto:L-marks at northwestern.eduhttp://www.numis.nwu.edu
