X-ray Diffraction - Composition and Structure Determination
Our extensive facility characterises materials, multilayers and structures as diverse as semiconductors and bones. Our industrial service benefits greatly from our pure research, particularly in the analysis of thin films and biological specimens using Reitveld methods.
X-ray studies of biomedical materials
A new technique is under development which gives superior and safer radiographic images. Also, by simultaneously collecting the weak diffracted X-rays, composition can be determined which may give an early warning of diseases such as cancer.
X-ray diffraction is also being used to study and combat heart calcifications and gall stones.
XRD equipment
Siemens D500 and Philips 1820 diffractometers for phase identification and microstructural characterisation.
- A four circle diffractometer with a 4K cryogenic cell.
- A Bede Instruments double crystal automatic diffractometer for crystal quality and lattice mismatch investigations.
- Texture camera - surveys crystalline phases and orientation.
- Huber thin film goniometer and monochromator - tailored to sub 50 nm films.
- Lang camera - crystal growth, defects and domains.
- Searle small angle diffraction camera - structure of polymers.
- Bruker D8 microdiffractometer with GADDS (10 micron spot size)
Multipurpose Diffraction Facility
Professor Keith Rogers
T: +44 (0)1793 785399
E: k.d.rogers@cranfield.ac.uk
