Because of this, crystallography has a very interdisciplinary character and is present in solid state physics, chemistry, material sciences, molecular biology and earth sciences. Since the spacial arrangement of the atoms defines the physical and chemical properties of a crystal, crystallographic methods are used both in fundamental and in applied research. These methods are mainly based on the principle of diffraction of X-rays, synchrotron radiation, electrons or neutrons on condensed matter. Investigations are done with single crystals and with powder.
Crystallography is well integrated in the swiss scenery of science and research.
This is due to a main part to some of the researchers working in Switzerland, who got international reputation because of their fundamental work.