Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 March 2019
Three variables in the identification of crystalline multiphase unknowns by computer search/match methods were examined: presence or absence of chemical information; varying quality of d-I diffraction data; use of a large data base vs a data base having about 10% as many entries--both contain the unknown phases. The results showed that the search/match using average quality d-I data with chemical information was quite successful, while that obtained using higher quality d-I data alone missed one of four phases. It took only half the time to obtain the average d-I data plus chemistry as it did to obtain the higher quality data. Searching the smaller data base with the higher quality data alone resulted in an identification of all phases with high reliability.