Rapid identification of small powder samples.
What is it about?
This diffractometer was built to remove all the problems associated with sample alignment and peak position uncertainty. Data can be collected instantaneously, and the analysis to identify crystal structures performed in parallel to produce results in seconds. It is a ¼ of the size of a conventional Bragg-Brentano instrument with similar width diffraction peaks and has the advantage of a monochromatic probing beam based on Cu Kα1. The resolution can be increased by moving the detector further from the sample.
Why is it important?
This conventional theory of X-ray diffraction cannot explain the results from this instrument, whereas they can be explained by the “new” theory of X-ray diffraction (Fewster (2014) Acta Cryst. A70 257-282). Many new opportunities can be exploited by reassessing the theory, e.g., using exceedingly small powder samples and still achieve a useful diffraction profile.