XRD (X-Ray Diffractometer)
XRD is an important tool for determining the intercrystalline structures of minerals and chemical compounds. The method is non-destructive and mineral species can be identified (‘fingerprinted’) in bulk samples even if only in very small particles.
Mineralogical make-up of sediments and sedimentary rocks can also be estimated (for species with concentrations in excess of about 5%). An Environmental Chamber is available for running air-sensitive samples.
| Brand/model | Philips PW 1710 and 1840 |
|---|---|
| Manylion | Solid and powdered crystaline materials are identified against a database of more than 70,000 recorded phases. Quantification is possible. |
| Cyfleuster | Electron microbeam facility |
| Ysgol | Ysgol Gwyddorau'r Ddaear a'r Amgylchedd |
- Solid and powdered samples can be analysed and matched against a database of 70 000 recorded phases, thereby identifying and quantifying unknown phases.
- Each pure mineral or compound has a specific X-ray diffraction pattern and these are matched against the unknowns.
- The diffractometer gives compound or mineral names, as opposed to a list of elements as in other analytical methods.
Cysylltwch
Dr Duncan Muir
- muird1@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 5059
Lleoliad
Main Building
Plas y Parc
CF10 3AT
Plas y Parc
CF10 3AT