An X‐ray diffraction study of NaF

NaF gives rise to very weak odd-index reflexions in X-ray diffraction. These reflexions have been studied to determine the best models for electron distribution in the NaF crystal. Data were obtained from a single crystal at room temperature for Ag Kα, Mo Kα, Cu Kα and Co Kα radiations. Least-squares analyses were made on the Ag Kα and Mo Kα data. Scattering factors for Hartree-Fock singly charged free ions allowed a good fit to the data, and there was a marginal improvement of the fit with similar scattering factors modified for effects of crystalline environment. The mean thermal parameter for the ions was {\bar B} = 0.905 ± 0.025 A2. An attempt to account for the wavelength dependence of intensities of the strong reflexions, with current theories of extinction, was unsuccessful.