X-Ray Powder Diffraction Service

The X-Ray Powder Diffraction Service offers state-of-the-art phase identification and characterisation of crystalline materials by means of a search-match facility and Rietveld refinement.

Services Offered

Applications and techniques include:

  • phase identification
  • quantitative phase analysis, subject to the availability of pure end members
  • measurement of unit cell dimensions
  • composition determination in solid solutions
  • particle size determination in the 10-100 nm range
  • quality assurance of industrial processes
  • measurement of retained austenite in steels (separate service)

The majority of work at Newcastle is carried out using any of three Hagg-Guinier focusing cameras or diffractometer. Film measurement is by means of an automated film scanner, with accompanying software for intensity measurement and refinement.

Further Information: