On the application of phase relationships to complex structures. XXVIII.XMYas a random approach to the phase problem
Tony Debaerdemaeker, Michael Mark Woolfson · Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations of Crystallography · 1989
In modern direct methods a very powerful multisolution approach involves the refinement by some means of initially random phases. In exploring a number of refinement functions Debaerdemaeker & Woolfson [Acta Cryst. (1983), A39, 193-196] found by accident a function of phases, the maximization of which was very effective in obtaining substantially correct phase sets. This has led to the XMY method which works well although no completely rational explanation can be offered for how it does so. Examples of its use in the ab initio solution of unknown structures are given and tests are described indicating its usefulness as a means of carrying out multisolution fragment development.