Quantitative Analysis of thin Samples by X-Ray Diffraction

Abstract

For phase analysis of small amounts of material in an x-ray powder diffractometer the sample is often spread on a sample mounting plate or support plate. Different types of plates on which thin samples can be mounted are: - silver membrane filters - metal or other polycrystalline plates - polymer membrane filters, for example PVC, polycarbonate, cellulose nitrate - glass slides - single crystals; cut so that no diffraction lines occur. Filters are often used to collect environmental dust; these samples can be analysed “as received,” Glass slides are inexpensive, flat, and readily available. Polycrystalline filters and plates have the disadvantage of possible line overlap with lines of the sample material (refer to figure 1), Glass plates or polymer filters have the high and curved background due to amorphous scatter as shown in figure 2.