Experiments in X-ray diffraction methods

Abstract

The object of this dissertation was an investigation of different x-ray techniques using the instruments available in the University. The machines used were the Bruker XRD D8 Advanced in the Materials laboratory of the Faculty of Engineering and the Leybold XRD in the Physics teaching laboratories. The x-ray diffraction techniques used were the locked couple mode and the Debye-Scherrer method. Experiments were performed both to characterize the beam and to obtain the atomic spacing in alkali halide crystals, using both powder and single-crystal samples. Other investigations such as the effect of varying current against thickness or absorption frequencies of different materials were also made. A number of improvements carried out on the Leybold equipment, including the installation of a small motor inside the central mount to rotate the crystal, as well as automating the instrument by means of a stepper motor and computer interface. This latter improvement was very useful since it allowed a finer degree of movement than is available by hand, as well as making possible the collection of data over longer intervals.