Models of thermal motion in small-molecule crystallography

The Debye–Waller factor, introduced a century ago, remains a fundamental component in the refinement of crystal structures against X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction data. This review marks its centenary by exploring its applications in small-molecule crystallography. We provide a historical ov...

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Main Authors: Anna Hoser, Anders Ø. Madsen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Union of Crystallography 2025-07-01
Series:IUCrJ
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S2052252525004361
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author Anna Hoser
Anders Ø. Madsen
author_facet Anna Hoser
Anders Ø. Madsen
author_sort Anna Hoser
collection DOAJ
description The Debye–Waller factor, introduced a century ago, remains a fundamental component in the refinement of crystal structures against X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction data. This review marks its centenary by exploring its applications in small-molecule crystallography. We provide a historical overview of the development of the Debye–Waller factor and its foundations in lattice dynamics. The review discusses the practical use of anisotropic displacement parameters and their role in accurate structure determination. We also address the challenges and advancements in modelling thermal motion and disorder, the role of multi-temperature measurements and modern computational approaches.
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publisher International Union of Crystallography
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spelling doaj-art-068c3a932414464e8b9eb0d5996ada382025-08-20T03:15:34ZengInternational Union of CrystallographyIUCrJ2052-25252025-07-0112442143410.1107/S2052252525004361woz5008Models of thermal motion in small-molecule crystallographyAnna Hoser0Anders Ø. Madsen1Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, Warsaw 02-093, PolandDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkThe Debye–Waller factor, introduced a century ago, remains a fundamental component in the refinement of crystal structures against X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction data. This review marks its centenary by exploring its applications in small-molecule crystallography. We provide a historical overview of the development of the Debye–Waller factor and its foundations in lattice dynamics. The review discusses the practical use of anisotropic displacement parameters and their role in accurate structure determination. We also address the challenges and advancements in modelling thermal motion and disorder, the role of multi-temperature measurements and modern computational approaches.https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S2052252525004361debye–waller factorthermal motionanisotropic displacement parameterslattice dynamicsnormal-mode refinementcomputational modellingmolecular crystalsdynamical simulationscharge, spin and momentum densitiespharmaceutical solids
spellingShingle Anna Hoser
Anders Ø. Madsen
Models of thermal motion in small-molecule crystallography
IUCrJ
debye–waller factor
thermal motion
anisotropic displacement parameters
lattice dynamics
normal-mode refinement
computational modelling
molecular crystals
dynamical simulations
charge, spin and momentum densities
pharmaceutical solids
title Models of thermal motion in small-molecule crystallography
title_full Models of thermal motion in small-molecule crystallography
title_fullStr Models of thermal motion in small-molecule crystallography
title_full_unstemmed Models of thermal motion in small-molecule crystallography
title_short Models of thermal motion in small-molecule crystallography
title_sort models of thermal motion in small molecule crystallography
topic debye–waller factor
thermal motion
anisotropic displacement parameters
lattice dynamics
normal-mode refinement
computational modelling
molecular crystals
dynamical simulations
charge, spin and momentum densities
pharmaceutical solids
url https://journals.iucr.org/paper?S2052252525004361
work_keys_str_mv AT annahoser modelsofthermalmotioninsmallmoleculecrystallography
AT andersømadsen modelsofthermalmotioninsmallmoleculecrystallography