Facilities

Sc-XRD

What is Single-crystal X-ray Diffraction

Single-crystal X-ray Diffraction is a non-destructive analytical technique which provides detailed information about the internal lattice of crystalline substances, including unit cell dimensions, bond-lengths, bond-angles, and details of site-ordering. Directly related is single-crystal refinement, where the data generated from the X-ray analysis is interpreted and refined to obtain the crystal structure.

Applications

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction is most commonly used for precise determination of a unit cell, including cell dimensions and positions of atoms within the lattice. Bond-lengths and angles are directly related to the atomic positions. The crystal structure of a mineral is a characteristic property that is the basis for understanding many of the properties of each mineral. Specific applications of single-crystal diffraction include:

• New mineral identification, crystal solution and refinement
• Determination of unit cell, bond-lengths, bond-angles and site-ordering
• Characterization of cation-anion coordination
• Variations in crystal lattice with chemistry
• With specialized chambers, structures of high pressure and/or temperature phases can be determined
• Determination of crystal-chemical vs. environmental control on mineral chemistry
• Powder patterns can also be derived from single-crystals by use of specialized cameras (Gandolfi)

Strengths and Limitations of Single-crystal X-ray Diffraction?

 Strengths

• No separate standards required
• Non-destructive
• Detailed crystal structure, including unit cell dimensions, bond-lengths, bond-angles and site-ordering information
• Determination of crystal-chemical controls on mineral chemistry
• With specialized chambers, structures of high pressure and/or temperature phases can be determined
• Powder patterns can also be derived from single-crystals by use of specialized cameras (Gandolfi)

Limitations

• Must have a single, robust (stable) sample, generally between 50—250 microns in size
• Optically clear sample
• Twinned samples can be handled with difficulty
• Data collection generally requires between 24 and 72 hours

Contact       

                   Ngo Hoang Long                    :           This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.          

Phone                                    :           0937725075

                         Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh             :           This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.      

Phone                                    :           0978375457