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.
| Make/model | Philips Automated Powder Diffractometer (model PW1710) |
|---|---|
| Details | Solid and powdered crystaline materials are identified against a database of more than 70,000 recorded phases. Quantification is possible. |
| Facility | Electron microbeam facility |
| School | School of Earth and Environmental Sciences |
- 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.
Get in touch
Dr Duncan Muir
- muird1@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 5059
Location
Main Building
Park Place
CF10 3AT
Park Place
CF10 3AT