X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Malvern Panalytical

The XRD facility at RSES provides mineral and phase identification and quantification services, crystal structure refinements, and mineral analytical advice to RSES, the wider ANU community and external customers. 

• Contact lab manager for quote. Choice between DIY and service.
• Prerequisites for DIY users: Basic knowledge in Mineralogy (e.g. course EMSC 2023); Completion of ANU Pulse Online Training Module Ionising Radiation – Machines.

Instrumentation

1. Malvern Panalytical Aeris Benchtop XRD system, CuKalpha radiation

• Fast benchtop XRD, tailored for your industry
• Straightforward user interface
• Automation and integration capabilities
• All wrapped in a compact, reliable instrument

Sample formats

• Powders
• Mineral separates
• Solids (hand specimen, thin sections, samples in polished resin-stubs, archaeological artifacts, pottery shards, stone tools, paper, etc. ..)
• Liquid slurries (for in situ observation of crystal growth)
• Pastes (e.g., cement)
• Sample weight: 1 mg - 10 kg
• Sample size: 50 µm – 10x10x10 cm
• Sample holders
  • Low-background (Si or quartz single-crystals)
  • End-loaded
  • Front-loaded
  • Capillary
  • Transmission foils (Kapton, Mylar)

Services

The laboratory can provide a variety of services including:

• Sample preparation (crushing, milling, micronizing)
• Crystalline phase identification
• Quantitative analysis (determination of phase abundances and amorphous content)
• Illite crystallinity determination (based on FWHM of 001-reflection, 10 Å)
• Crystal structure refinement (Rietveld method)
• Training in usage of instruments and software

Data Analysis Software

• ICDD PDF-2 Database
• COD Database 2021
• HighScore Plus
  • Search/Match
  • Quantitative analysis
  • Rietveld refinement