A provisional setup for X-ray microprobe experiments at 35 keV is described. It is based on compound refractive lenses (CRLs) for nanofocusing and a Vortex silicon drift detector with 2 mm sensor thickness for increased sensitivity at high energies. The Microprobe experiment (PETRA III) generally uses Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors for submicrometer focusing in the energy range of 5–21 keV. However, various types of scanning X-ray microscopy experiments require higher excitation energies. The CRL optics were characterized by X-ray ptychography and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) knife edge scans on a siemens star pattern and showed beam sizes down to 110 nm. The performance of the new setup for microscopic X-ray diffraction (XRD)–XRF scanning X-ray microscopy measurements at 35 keV is demonstrated on a cross-section of a painting fragment.

The absorption of X-rays in a heterogeneous material depends on the linear absorption coefficients and volume fractions of the components, and on die geometrical peculiarities of their distribution. The latter is called the microabsorption effect, it can be separated into a bulk and a surface contribution. Within the framework of a well-defined stochastic structure model, the bulk contribution to the microabsorption is calculated for arbitrary random multiphase systems in terms of dependence on volume fractions and mean chord lengths of particles. Expressions are derived which are suitable for eliminating the experimental errors of scattering intensities caused by the bulk contribution of microabsorption.

If only one wavelengtii of radiation is used, the mean chord lengths of the phases of the sample must be determined by other experimental techniques. A method is proposed to overcome this difficulty by using two or more wavelengths of radiation; this correction procedure works without the knowledge of the particle sizes of the phases.

The phase identification of a polycrystalline mixture by X-ray powder diffraction data is often requested for studying materials interesting to different scientific and technological fields: chemistry, pharmaceutics, mineralogy, archeometry, forensic science, etc. The availability of user friendly computer programs, able to carry out qualitative phase analysis in efficient and possibly automatic way, is extremely useful to the scientific community involved in powder diffraction. QUALX2.0, the evolution of QUALX, is a freely distributed software for qualitative phase analysis. Based on the traditional search–match method, it is able to manage both a commercial database (PDF-2 maintained by ICDD), and a freely available database (POW_COD generated by the structure information contained in the Crystallography Open Database). QUALX2.0 is continuously improved in terms of computing and graphic tools. Correspondingly, the database POW_COD is suitably modified to make efficient the operations of search. The search–match approach can be facilitated by the use of restraints, when available, involving the chemical composition, the kind of compound(s) (e.g., organic, inorganic, etc.), the symmetry (space group, crystal system), the unit-cell parameters and/or volume, the crystal properties (measured and/or calculated crystal density, crystal color). An outline of the main features of QUALX2.0 and an example of application is described.

Sm(OH)2NO3, was prepared by hydrolysis of the corresponding nitrate, leading to a product which is insoluble in water. IR-spectroscopy showed a comparison with the analogous Gd-compound. The temperature of decomposition to SmONO3 is below 573 K. The structure was refined by the Rietveld technique in space group P21, (Z=2), a=6.3852(3) Å, b=3.7784(2) Å, c=7.7402(3) Å, β=97.572(3)°, V=185.11 Å3, Rp=4.9, Rwp=6.3, RB=4.0. The compound is isotypic with Ln(OH)2NO3 (Ln=Pr,Nd,Gd). Infrared spectra and thermal decomposition data are also given for the Gd phase.

In the course of our research on normal alkanols, the crystal structure of 1-pentanol has been solved by applying Patterson-search methods to laboratory powder X-ray diffraction data recorded on a curved position-sensitive detector (CPS120) at 183 K. The crystal structure was refined with the rigid-body Rietveld least-squares method. The cell is monoclinic, space group P21∕c, Z=4, and the cell parameters are a=15.592(9) Å, b=4.349(1) Å, c=9.157(1) Å, β=104.7(7)°, V=600.6(3) Å3. There is one molecule in the asymmetric unit with the O–H bond in gauche conformation with respect to the alkyl skeleton. Packing is defined by the hydrogen bonds linking the 1-pentanol molecules along zigzag chains parallel to b.

Calibration of powder diffraction experiments using area detectors is essential to extract high quality one-dimensional powder diffraction pattern. Precise calibration necessitates a sensible characterization of the Debye-Scherrer rings formed on the detector plane. An algorithm, designed and developed to automate this process, is described in this paper. All the parameters required for an experimental calibration are extracted using robust pattern recognition techniques. Several image preprocessing methods are employed, reducing the computational cost but retaining high signal quality. A modified version of a one-dimensional Hough transformation is used to determine the final parameters of the ellipses. After extraction, the parameters are optimized using nonlinear least squares fit. The presented algorithm is insensitive to image artefacts and was successfully applied to a large number of calibration images. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated by the comparison of results obtained from the presented automatic calibration method and an existing manual method.

Multilayer optics is one of the widely applied optics for conditioning an X-ray beam in the region of X-ray diffraction. Multilayer optics offers a well-balanced performance. The beam conditioned by a multilayer optic is characterized by low divergence, good spectrum purity, and high intensity. This article will start with a short historical note of the development of X-ray multilayer and a summary on the basic performance characteristics of X-ray multilayer, then move on to the discussion on the design principle of one- and two-dimensional optics. Both parallel beam optics and focusing optics will be addressed. As examples, selected applications of multilayer optics are also briefly discussed. Finally, the main problems associated with the application of multilayer optics are identified and the future developments are discussed.

For residual stress evaluation in complex substrate-coating systems, energy-dispersive (ED) diffraction with energies up to 100 keV can be applied to analyze the near interface residual stress state in the substrate, because the high energy white beam penetrates the coating completely. By the example of an Al2O3/TiCN on WC coating system we have studied the feasibility for using the coating reflections being stored in the ED diffraction patterns together with the substrate diffraction lines to analyze the residual stress state in individual sublayers of which the coating system consists. The results indicate that the ED method is suitable to detect even steep intralayer stress gradients, if the diffraction conditions are adapted to the coating geometry.

A quantitative simultaneous determination method by X-ray powder diffractometry is described for calcium sulfate and calcium carbonate in airborne dusts. In order to eliminate the mutual interference among diffraction peaks, and to avoid the presence of the hydration isomers of calcium sulfate, dust samples were heated at 350°C for 2 h. To reduce the errors due to the difference-in crystallinity between the standard materials and the samples, the synthesized calcium sulfate anhydrate (anhydrite) was heated to such an extent that the half-width of the 002,020 peak was identical with that of the anhydrite in pretreated dust samples. Standard calcium carbonate (calcite) was ground until the half-width and the orientation index of the 104 peak of calcite was identical with that of the calcite in dust samples. Linear calibration curves were obtained throughout the range of 0 ∼ 30 wt% for anhydrite and the range of 0 ∼ 10 wt% for calcite, respectively. The determination limits were 0.2 wt% for anhydrite and 0.3 wt% for calcite. Relative standard deviations were 3.4 % for 8.0 wt% of anhydrite and 1.8% for 5.4 wt% of calcite. The present method is applicable to determination of calcium sulfate and calcium carbonate in actual dust samples.

The International Centre for Diffraction Data has a colorful history, starting as a small task group of involved and interested scientists and progressing through a number of evolutionary steps that were required to deliver scientific products and services globally. The results of these efforts can be found in numerous scientific publications that focus on basic physics, method development, and analyses of the material identification of solid-state materials. This article examines the evolution of the organization through its members and employees.

Powder X-ray diffraction data are reported for RE6UO12 (RE=Eu, Gd, and Dy). The powders were prepared by a solution combustion method using urea as fuel. All compositions exhibit a rhombohedral structure with hexagonal unit cell parameters of a=1.012 67 (9) nm, c=0.9601 (1) nm for Eu6UO12; a=1.008 78 (6) nm, c=0.954 24 (7) nm for Gd6UO12; and a=0.998 06 (7) nm, c=0.944 03 (8) nm for Dy6UO12. The diffraction patterns of all the compounds are indexed on the R3¯ space group with Z=3. The a and c values decrease with increasing atomic number of the rare earth ion.

The compounds BaR2O4, where R = La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Eu, Dy, Ho and Er have been prepared from a stoichiometric mixture of BaCO3 and lanthanide oxides, and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. Standard X-ray patterns of these phases were prepared. In general, BaR2O4 crystallizes in the pervoskite-related CaFe2O4 structure which is orthorhombic with a space group Pnam. The cell parameters of these compounds from R = Er to La range from 10.3729(12) to 10.668(2) Å for a, 12.0699(11) to 12.642(2) Å for b, from 3.4356(4) to 3.7037(10) Å for c, and from 450.14(5) Å3 to 499.51 Å3 for V respectively. A monotonic, linear relationship is obtained when V is plotted against the cube of the ionic radius of R. When R = Tm, Lu and Yb, the BaO·R2O3 composition produced the mixture Ba3R4O9 and the unreacted lanthanide oxide. Under the present experimental conditions, the compound BaRO3 was the predominant component when R = Ce, Pr, and Tb.

The employment of the Debye function to model line profiles in the powder diffraction pattern from small crystallites is briefly reviewed. It is also demonstrated that for the case of very small spherical particles, it is necessary to average patterns from multiple constructions of the particle to have complete agreement with reciprocal space models. In doing so it is demonstrated that the technique of Debye function analysis is best suited for systems with only a few possible atomic arrangements.

Developments in X-ray analysis, and advances in scientific research, have dramatically influenced the types of data now considered suitable for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction FileTM (PDF®). Initially, the PDF was geared towards the identification of unknown crystalline materials by comparison of d-spacings and peak intensities. Today, the International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD) maintains and continuously enhances the quality and content of the PDF database to better provide customers and scientists with a comprehensive reference source that supports their needs, and interests. The events that initially led to the inclusion of crystalline polymer data to the PDF have recently been amended to also encompass semi-crystalline and amorphous polymeric materials as well. This paper discusses the resultant updates being made to the PDF in support of this new data form, and also highlights several features and benefits of providing this data to PDF users.

A novel type X-ray detector, called PILATUS, has been developed at the Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland during the last decade. PILATUS detectors are two-dimensional hybrid pixel array detectors, which operate in single-photon counting mode. PILATUS detectors feature a very wide dynamic range (1:1 000 000), very short readout time (<3.0 ms), no readout noise, and very high counting rate (>2×106counts/s/pixel). In addition, a lower energy threshold can be set in order to suppress fluorescence background from the sample, thus a very good signal-to-noise ratio is achieved. The combination of these features for area detectors is unique and thus the PILATUS detectors are considered to be the next generation X-ray detectors. The basic building block of all the detectors is the PILATUS module having an active area of 83.8×33.5 mm2. The PILATUS 100K is a complete detector system with one module. PILATUS detector systems can have other configurations, including large area systems consisting of 20 to 60 modules that can cover up to an area of 431×448 mm2. Such large systems are mainly used for macromolecular structure determination, such as protein crystallography and small angle X-ray scattering. The PILATUS 100K detector can be easily adapted to many systems; the single-module detector is integrated to an in-house X-ray diffraction (XRD) system. Examples of XRD measurements with the PILATUS 100K detector are given.

The crystal structure of γ-Mo4O11 was obtained at room temperature (296 K) by Rietveld analysis with X-ray powder diffraction data. The crystal belongs to orthorhombic system, space group: Pna21, Z=4, Mr=559.753 (Atomic weights 1977), Dx=4.1228 g/cm3, F(000)=1024.0, μ=451.293 cm−1 (Int. Tab. Vol. C, Table 4.2.4.2, p. 193, λ=1.540 60 Å), a=24.4756(5) Å, b=6.7516(1) Å, c=5.4572(1) Å, and V=901.80(3) Å3. The structure was refined to Rwp=5.60%, Rp=4.27%, Rb=3.36%, and Rf=2.74% for 65 parameters with 3541 step intensities and 3055 peaks. Goodness of the fit S=3.35.

The crystal structure of the common expectorant guaifenesin, 3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1, 2-propanediol (C10H14O4) was solved by applying Monte Carlo simulated annealing techniques to synchrotron powder data, and refined using the Rietveld method. Initial structure solutions yielded an unreasonable conformation, and an unacceptable refinement. Quantum chemical geometry optimizations were used to identify the correct conformation. Guaifenesin crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121 (#19), with a=7.657 05(7), b=25.670 20(24), c=4.979 66(4) Å, V=978.79(2) Å3, and Z=4. Both hydroxyl groups act as hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, resulting in the formation of a two-dimensional network of strong hydrogen bonds in the ac plane. The solid state conformation is ∼4 kcal/mol higher in energy than the minimum-energy conformation of an isolated molecule, but the formation of the hydrogen bonds results in an energy gain of ∼100 kcal/mol. Knowledge of the crystal structure permits quantitative phase analysis of guaifenesin-containing pharmaceuticals (such as Duratuss GP 120-1200) by the Rietveld method.

Quantisation of low-quartz in crystalline mixtures has been performed by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD) for many years. Conventional methodology, using discrete-peak integrated intensities, is frequently performed employing calibrations prepared with natural low-quartz specimens. Previous research showed that from a conventional XRPD study of low-quartz specimens, the amorphous content of a suite of natural low-quartz specimens ranged from 1% to 28%. That study thereby underlined the importance in XRPD calibration of characterising the amorphous content (or its complementary quantity “weight fraction of crystalline material, WCFM” employed here). This paper describes an application of pattern-fitting Rietveld analysis for characterising the WCFM in a suite of low-quartz specimens. The results gave WCFM values ranging from 0.91 (esd, σ= 0.02) to 1.00(0.02) for six specimens for which the SiO2chemical content ≥ 99.5%.

Since the discovery of the superconductivity in Ba2YCu3 O7-x, the system Ba-Y-Cu-O has generated vast interest. The presence and the properties of the intermediate phases were examined, and the existence of the BaY2O4 phase was confirmed.

We have determined the crystal structure of this material from powder data; it is orthorhombic, Pnma (no 62) with a = 10.394(3) Å, b = 3.450(1) Å, c = 12.113(4) Å, isotypic with SrY2O4 (CaFe2O4-type). The observed and calculated intensity values are reported together with the powder diffraction data, obtained both by Guinier and diffractometer methods.

The ε-phase is hexagonal, space group P63/mmc. For the composition Pb7Bi3 the following data were determined, a = 3.5058(1) Å c = 5.7959(5) Å, Vol. = 61.687 Å3(5), Dc = 11.17 Mg m−3. Filings from single crystal material were used to obtain powder data by the Guinier method and the X-ray results were in accordance with single crystal neutron diffraction data. Transition to the superconducting state took place in the interval 8.3 K–8.55 K.