| Science home | Future students | Current students | Postgraduate | Research | Staff | Contact us |
| Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
X-RAY DIFFRACTION SERVICEGeneralThe School of Physics provides an X-ray diffraction analytical service to students and research staff requiring chemical analysis for teaching or research projects. This service is extended to other schools and deparments within the university, other universities, government departments and commercial companies. A Professional Officer is available to operate or advise on the operation of the X-Ray equipment. For further information contact:
Current Techniques
ResourcesThe School is equipped with four computer automated diffractometers for chemical analysis and one table top generator for back reflection and single crystal work. A fourth generator, being set up for automated texture scanning is currently under way. A Scintag high resolution diffractometer with state of the art software is employed in the laboratory for routine or high accuracy diffraction analysis. The Scintag has a solid state Ge detector, a scanning range from 2 deg to 160 deg with independent drives for theta, 2theta and phi axis. The I.C.D.D. data base with approximately 80,000 known Organic or Inorganic compounds is available on C.D. or Scintag software search match routines. Two Philips vertical diffractometers are available to students and staff for ambient temperature and low temperature powder diffraction.The low temperature diffractometer incorporates an Oxford cryostat to house the specimen and requires liquid Helium to reduce the temperature to as low as 10K. The system is computer automated with state of the art data analysis software. A diffractometer specifically built for post graduate research studies in Residual Stress analysis also caters for external contract work. The system is computer automated, employ's a H.T. solid state generator and data is collected using a position sensitive detector. Specific sample holders incorporate theta or theta and phi motions in the data collection routines. Post graduate studies are continuing on Aluminium, Silicon composites. External work is carried out on aircraft structures, ship structures, turbine blades and a variety of metal components from other research establishments and commercial companies. |