A method for understanding characteristics of multi-dimensional hypersurfaces, illustrated by energy and powder profile R-factor hypersurfaces for molecular crystals

A method is described for determining general sections through multi-dimens ional hypersurfaces, in which the values of all the variables that define t he hypersurface are allowed to vary simultaneously. The method is general, in the sense that any trajectory through any specified point on the hypersu rface may be readily defined. The application of this method is illustrated through a comparison of the energy and powder profile R-factor hypersurfac es for the beta phase of L-glutamic acid.