Abstract

Equations are obtained for the coherent diffraction by a dispersion of spherical vesicles of different radii, where each vesicle is bounded by an identical membrane having negligible tangential structure. The diffraction pattern is compared with that given by an assemblage of flat sheets of the same membrane, and the two patterns are shown to differ significantly. The effects of membrane curvature thereby interfere with the determination of the membrane's structure; but, when correctly used, they might assist that determination.