X-ray diffraction is a common method for determining crystal structure.

Elemental carbon can have two different solid phases with differing spatial (position) ... Crystal structures are determined experimentally by X-Ray Diffraction. So the position of the element is determined experimentally by X-ray diffraction of a crystal of the element.

single crystal x-ray diffraction studies

if you are talking about the chemistry of the problem: a glass has no structure (amorphous state).a cristal (AKA solid state) has structure, in fact a crystal can show X-rays diffraction.

Diffraction is the bending of waves around an obstacle under specific circumstances.