MULTIPLE-BEAM X-RAY-DIFFRACTION FOR PHYSICAL DETERMINATION OF REFLECTION PHASES AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Theoretical and experimental advances in determination of three-phase invariants by multiple-beam X-ray diffraction are reviewed. The fundam ental physics and mathematical analyses are explained. Plane-wave dyna mical theory for the interpretation of multiple-beam interference is s ummarized. New results of its applications to the solution of the enan tiomorphism problem of light-atom structures and to the solution of th e structure of macromolecules by means of measured phases in conjuncti on with statistical methods are reported. Practical aspects of applyin g the three-beam diffraction technique to proteins are emphasized.