Thermal diffuse scattering refers to the broadening and weakening of diffraction peaks due to the thermal vibrations of atoms in a crystal lattice. As temperature increases, atoms move more vigorously, causing changes in their positions and leading to the scattering of X-rays or neutrons in a way that deviates from the idealized Bragg reflection conditions. This phenomenon plays a significant role in understanding diffraction patterns, especially for modulated structures where atomic displacements can be more pronounced.
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