Accurate determination of the lattice parameters of beryllium

The lattice parameters of a single crystal of beryllium have been determined from observations on a divergent-beam transmission x-ray photograph of the crystal. Diffraction in the crystal leads to a pattern of deficiency lines on a photographic plate, the geometry of which is determined by the lattice parameters of the crystal, and the wavelength of the radiation, but is independent of the exact experimental arrangement. The values obtained are a = 2.2866 ± 0.0006 [Agrave], c=3.5833 ± 0.0009 [Agrave], c/a=1.5671.