Past exam of the quantum condensed matter course of the University of Cambridge / 2009 / Section B / B1 / c / Solution

For elastic scattering, $|{\mathbf{k}}_{\mathrm{in}}|=|{\mathbf{k}}_{\mathrm{out}}|=2\pi /\lambda$. Contributions from sites differing by any Bravais lattice translation $\mathbf{R}$ add in phase exactly whenfor every $\mathbf{R}$, namely when the momentum-transfer wavevector is a reciprocal lattice vector $\mathbf{G}$. For a family of planes of spacing $d$, the $n$th reciprocal vector normal to those planes has magnitude $2\pi n/d$. The scattering geometry gives $|\mathbf{G}|=2k\sin \theta$. Combining the two expressions provesConversely, reflection from that plane family satisfying Bragg's law supplies the corresponding normal reciprocal vector. The scalar angle condition alone needs this plane-normal geometry; it does not specify an arbitrary outgoing direction. A nontrivial atomic basis can extinguish an otherwise allowed reciprocal-lattice reflection through its structure factor.