Typical lattice parameters for crystals are around 0.3 nm.
Electrons are charged, light particles and their penetration into solids is very limited.
A typical electron diffraction pattern for a crystalline specimen is shown here. The diameter of the Ewald sphere is very large compared to the size of the unit cell in the reciprocal lattice. Lenses are able to focus the diffraction pattern and to change the camera length, which is equivalent to moving the film in an x-ray experiment. Lenses can also be used to change from Fraunhofer to Fresnel diffraction conditions. All rights reserved.