The determination of the 3D structure of materials at the atomic scale is crucial for understanding their physical, chemical and biological properties. Such information is obtained from crystallographic studies, that have advanced enormously since their advent using X-ray diffraction 100 years ago. The construction of powerful neutron and X-ray sources (synchrotron and free electron laser facilities), with refinement of experimental methods for structural studies, improvements in detectors, and the huge increase in computational capabilities, have contributed to marked progress in recent years. This school will provide an extensive training in both theoretical and practical aspects of modern crystallography.
The school will be followed by the International workshop on X-ray Powder and Electron Crystallography (2-6 July 2013, University of Patras, Greece).