X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

PRINCIPLE.INSTRUMENTATION.APPLICATION

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XRD Contents

 Introduction

 Principle

 Instrumentation

 X-Ray Diffraction Methods

 Applications

 Limitations

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XRD Introduction
 X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen who called them x - rays because
the nature at first was unknown so, x-rays are also called Roentgen rays. X-ray
diffraction in crystals was discovered by Max von Laue. The wavelength range
is 0.01 to about 10 nm.
Wilhelm Röntgen

 X-rays are short wave length electromagnetic radiations produced by the deceleration of
high energy electrons or by electronic transitions of electrons in the inner orbital of atoms
The penetrating power of x-rays depends on energy also, there are two types of x-rays.
i) Hard x-rays: which have high frequency and have more energy.
ii) soft x-rays: which have less penetrating and have low energy.
Max von Laue

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XRD Introduction
 X-ray Diffraction (XRD) is a non-contact and non-destructive technique used to understand the
crystalline phases, different polymeric forms and the structural properties of the materials

 X – ray diffraction
“ Every crystalline substance gives a pattern; the same substance always gives the same
pattern; and in a mixture of substances each produces its pattern independently of the others”
-Words by Wilhelm Röntgen at the time of Nobel speech.

 The X-ray diffraction pattern of a pure substance is, therefore, like a fingerprint of the substance.
It is based on the scattering of x-rays by crystals.
 Definition
The atomic planes of a crystal cause an incident beam of X- rays to interfere with one another
as they leave the crystal. The phenomenon is called X- ray diffraction.

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XRD TIMELINE

 1665: Diffraction effects observed by Italian mathematician Francesco Maria Grimaldi

 1868: X-rays Discovered by German Scientist Röntgen

 1901: First Nobel prize in Physics to Röntgen

 1912: Discovery of X-ray Diffraction by Crystals: von Laue

 1912: Bragg’s Discovery

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XRD Why XRD?

 Measure the average spacing's between layers or rows of atoms

 Determine the orientation of a single crystal

 Find the crystal structure of an unknown material

 Measure the size, shape and internal stress of small crystalline regions

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XRD What is Diffraction ?

A diffracted beam may be defined as a beam composed of a large number of scattered rays
mutually reinforcing each other

Scattering
Interaction with a single particle

Diffraction
Interaction with a crystal

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XRD What is X-ray Diffraction ?

X-ray diffraction is based on constructive interference of monochromatic x-rays and a crystalline

sample. These x-rays are generated by a cathode ray tube, filtered to produce monochromatic radiation,
collimated to concentrate and directed towards the sample. The interaction of incident rays with the
sample produces constructive interference when conditions satisfy Bragg’s law.

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 XRD Bragg’s Law

 Constructive
interference
X-ray 2 occurs only
when Sir William
n λ = AB + BC Henry Bragg
AB=BC
n λ = 2AB Sin θ =AB/d
AB=d sin θ
n λ =2d sin θ
λ = 2 d hklsin θhkl
Sir Lawrence Bragg

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XRD Order of Diffraction

 Rewrite Bragg’s law λ=2 sin d/n

 A reflection of any order as a first order Diffraction from planes, real or fictitious,
spaced at a distance 1/n of the previous spacing.

 Set d’ = d/n

 An nth order reflection from (hkl) planes of spacing d may be considered as a first
order Diffraction from the (nh nk nl) plane of spacing d’ = d/n

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XRD Basics of Crystallography
 The atoms are arranged in a regular pattern, and there is as
smallest volume element that by repetition in three dimensions
describes the crystal. This smallest volume element is called a
unit cell.

 Crystals consist of planes of atoms that are spaced a distance d

apart, but can be resolved into many atomic planes, each with a
different d spacing.

Lattice  The dimensions of the unit cell is described by three axes : a, b, c

and the angles between them α, β , and γ are the lattice constants
which can be determined by XRD.

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 XRD Miller Indices

 Crystal structures are made up of a series of planes of atoms in

which each plane is spaced with a distance d with each other. But
various atomic planes in a crystal can be resolved with different d-
spacing. For distinguishing different planes there is a coordinate
system introduced by William Hallowes Miller called Miller indices
(i.e., h, k, l).
William Hallowes
Miller
 Miller indices-the reciprocals of the fractional intercepts which
the plane makes with crystallographic axes.

 Reciprocals are taken to avoid ∞ in the indices.

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XRD d-spacing formulae

 For a unit cell with orthogonal axes

(1 / d2hkl) = (h2/a2) + (k2/b2) + (l2/c2)
 For a cubic unit cell with orthogonal axes a = b = c
(1 / d2hkl) = (h2+ k2 + l2 ) / a2
 For a cubic unit cell with orthogonal axes a = b = c = a 0

 Hexagonal unit cells

(1 / d2hkl) = (4/3)([h2 + k2 + hk]/ a2) + (l2/c2)

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XRD Instrumentation
 Production of x-rays (Source Of X-Rays)
 Collimator
 Monochromator
a. Filter
b. Crystal Monochromator
 Detectors
a.Photographic methods
b.Counter methods

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XRD Production of x-rays
 X-rays are produced whenever a
charged particles are accelerated.
 In XRD, X-rays are generated
when high velocity electrons
impinge on a metal target.
 A source of electrons – hot W
filament, a high accelerating
voltage between the cathode (W)
and the anode and a metal target,
Cu, Al, Mo, Mg.
 The anode is a water-cooled
block of Cu containing desired
target metal.

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XRD Production of x-rays

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 XRD Collimator

 In order to get a narrow, focused beam of x-rays, the x-

rays generated by the target material are allowed to pass
through a closely packed metal plates separated by a small
gap.
 The collimator absorbs all the x-rays except the
narrow beam that passes between the gap.

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XRD Monochromator

A monochromator is an
optical device that transmits
a mechanically selectable
narrow band of wavelengths
of light or other radiation
chosen from a wider range of
wavelengths available at the
input. The name is from the
Greek roots mono-, "single",
and chroma, "colour", and
the Latin suffix -ator,
denoting an agent.

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XRD Types Of Monochromators

 Monochromatization can be broadly divided into two,

1.Interference Filters

2.Crystal Monochromator

 Crystal Monochromators can be again divided into two

i) Flat crystal Monochromator

ii) Curved crystal Monochromator

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 XRD Interference Filters

 X-ray beam may be partly monochromatized by insertion of

a suitable filter.

 A filter is a window of material that absorbs undesirable

radiation but allows the radiation of required wavelength
to pass.

 Interference filters contain several optical layers deposited

on a glass substrate or transparent quartz. The specific
performance characteristics of the filter are determined by
the thickness of the optical layers.

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 XRD CRYSTAL MONOCHROMATOR
Crystal monochromators are made up of suitable crystalline material positioned in the x-ray beam so that the angle of
reflecting planes satisfied the Bragg’s equation for the required wavelength the beam is split up into component
wavelengths crystals used in monochromators are made up of materials like NaCl, lithium fluoride , quartz etc.
Pyrolytic graphite can be used for broad band and silicon for narrow band.

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 XRD DETECTORS

X-ray detectors are devices used to measure

the flux, spatial distribution, spectrum, and other
properties of X-rays.

Detectors can be divided into two major

categories: Imaging detectors, such
as photographic plates and X-ray film
(photographic film), now mostly replaced by
various digitizing devices like image plates or flat Schematic diagram of a diffractometer system
panel detectors) and dose measurement devices
called counter methods.

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 XRD TYPES OF DETECTORS
The x-ray intensities can be measured and recorded either by

1)Photographic methods
2)Counter methods

a) Geiger - Muller tube counter

b) Proportional counter
c) Scintillation detector
d) Semi conductor detectors

Both these types of methods depends upon ability of x-rays to ionize matter and differ only in the
subsequent fate of electrons produced by the ionizing process.

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 XRD Photographic method

 To record the position and intensity of x-ray beam a plane or cylindrical film is used.
 The film after exposing to x-ray is developed
 The blackening of the developed film is expressed in terms of density units D given by
D = log I₀/I, I₀-incident intensity
I - Transmitted intensity
D - Total energy that causes blackening of the film D is
measured by densitometer
The photographic method is mainly used in diffraction
studies since it reveals the entire diffraction pattern on a single film .
 Disadvantage : time consuming and uses exposure of several hours

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XRD A) Geiger - Muller tube counter
Geiger tube is filled with inert gas like argon
Central wire anode is maintained at a positive potential of 800 to 1500V .

 The electron is accelerated by the potential gradient and causes the ionization of
large number of argon atoms, resulting in the production of avalanche of electrons
that are travelling towards central anode

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XRD B) PROPORTIONAL COUNTER

 Construction is similar to Geiger tube counter

 Proportional counter is filled with heavier gas

like xenon and krypton

 Heavier gas is preferred because it is easily ionized

 Operated at a voltage below the Geiger plateau

 The dead time is very short (~ 0.2μs), it can be used

to count high rates without significant error.

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XRD C) SCINTILLATION DETECTOR:

 In a scintillation detector there is large sodium iodide crystal activated with a

small amount of thallium
 When x-ray is incident upon crystal , the pulses of visible light are emitted which can be detected by a
photo multiplier tube
 Useful for measuring x-ray of short wavelength
 Crystals used in scintillation detectors include sodium iodide ,anthracene, napthalene and p-terphenol

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:
XRD D) Semi-conductor detectors

 When x-ray falls on silicon lithium drifted detector an electron (-e) and a
hole (+e)
 Pure silicon made up with thin film of lithium metal plated onto one end
 Under the influence of voltage electrons moves towards +ve charge and
holes towards –ve
 Voltage generated is measure of the x-ray intensity falling on crystal
 Upon arriving at lithium pulse is generated
 Voltage of pulse=q/c; q-tot charge collected on electrode, c-detector
capacity.

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 XRD X-RAY DIFFRACTION METHODS
 There are several XRD methods which are generally used for investigating the
internal structures and crystal structures of various solid compounds.

X-Ray Diffraction Method

1. Laue’s photographic method
Laue Rotating Crystal Powder a)Transmission method
b)Back reflection method
• Different
Lattice Parameters
Orientation Lattice constant Single 2.Rotating crystal method
Polycrystal (powdered)
• Single Crystal Crystal Monochromatic
Monochromatic Beam
• Polychromatic Beam Beam Variable Angle 3.Powder method
Variable Angle
• Fixed Angle

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XRD The Laue method
Laue in his very first experiments used white radiation of all possible wavelengths and allowed this
radiation to fall on a stationary crystal. The crystal diffracted the X-ray beam and produced a very
beautiful pattern of spots which conformed exactly with the internal symmetry of the crystal. Let us
analyze the experiment with the aid of the Bragg equation. The crystal was fixed in position relative to
the X-ray beam, thus not only was the value for d fixed, but the value of was also fixed.

X-Ray Laue Method

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XRD A) Transmission Laue method

In the transmission Laue method, the film is placed behind the crystal to
record beams which are transmitted through the crystal.
One side of the cone of Laue reflections is defined by the transmitted
beam. The film intersects the cone, with the diffraction spots generally
lying on an ellipse.

 Can be used to orient crystals for solid state experiments.

 Most suitable for the investigation of preferred orientation sheet

particularly confined to lower diffraction angles.

 Also used in determination of symmetry of single crystals.

Transmission Laue method

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XRD B) Back-reflection Laue method

 In the back-reflection method, the film is placed between the x-

ray source and the crystal. The beams which are diffracted in a
backward direction are recorded.
 One side of the cone of Laue reflections is defined by the
transmitted beam. The film intersects with the cone in which the
diffraction spots generally lie on a hyperbola.

 This method is similar to Transmission method however, back-

reflection is the only method for the study of large and thick
specimens.
Back-reflection Laue method

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XRD Disadvantages of Laue method

 Big crystals are required

 Crystal orientation is determined from the position
of the spots. Each spot can be indexed,
i.e. attributed to a particular plane, using
special charts.
 The Greninger chart is used for back-reflection
patterns and the Leonhardt chart for transmission
patterns.
 The Laue technique can also be used to assess
Back-reflection Laue method
crystal perfection from the size and shape

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XRD The Bragg’s x-ray spectrometer

Bragg’s x-ray spectrometer

A- Cathode
 B-B’ – Adjustable slits
C - crystal
E - ionization chamber
 One plate of ionization chamber is connected to the positive terminal of a H.T Battery , while negative
terminal is connected to quadrant electrometer(measures the strength of ionization current)

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XRD Working of Bragg’s x-ray spectrometer

 Crystal is mounted such that ѳ=0° and ionization chamber is adjusted to receive x-rays
 Crystal and ionization chamber are allowed to move in small steps
 The angle through which the chamber is moved is twice the angle through which the crystal is
rotated
 X-ray spectrum is obtained by plotting a graph between ionization current and the glancing angle ѳ
 Peaks are obtained, corresponding to Bragg’s diffraction.

 Differentorder glancing angles are obtained with known values of λ and n and from the observed
value of ѳ and d can be measured.

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XRD DETERMINATION OF CRYSTAL STRUCTURE BY BRAGG’S LAW
 X-Rays fall on crystal surface

 The crystal is rotated and x-rays are made to reflect from various lattice planes

 The intense reflections are measured by bragg’s spectrometer and the glancing

angles for each reflection is recorded

 Then on applying bragg’s equation ratio of lattice spacing for various groups of planes

can be obtained.

 Ratio’s will be different for different crystals

 Experimentally observed ratio’s are compared with the calculated ratio’s ,particular

structure may be identified.

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XRD Rotating Crystal Method

 Single crystal mounted with one axis normal to a

monochromatic x-ray beam
 Cylindrical film placed around the sample
 As sample rotates, some sets of planes momentarily satisfy
Bragg condition
 When film is laid flat, a series of horizontal lines appears
 Because crystal rotates about a single axis, possible Bragg
angles are limited - not every plane is able to produce a
diffracted spot
 Sometimes used to determine unknown crystal structures

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XRD POWDER CRYSTAL METHOD:
X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) is a rapid analytical technique primarily used for phase identification of a
crystalline material and can provide information on unit cell dimensions. The analyzed material is finely
ground, homogenized, and average bulk composition is determined.

Fine powder is struck on a hair with a gum ,it is suspended vertically in the axis of a cylindrical camera
 When monochromatic beam is allowed to pass different possibilities may happen
1.There will be some particles out of random orientation of small crystals in the fine powder
2. Another fraction of grains will have another set of planes in the correct positions for the reflections to occur
3. Reflections are possible in different orders for each set

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XRD POWDER CRYSTAL METHOD:

 If the angle of incidence is ѳ then the angle of reflection

will be 2θ.
 If the radius is r the circumference 2πr corresponds to a

scattering angle of 360°.

θ =360*1/πr
 From the above equation the value of θ can be calculated
and substituted in Bragg’s equation to get the value of d.

POWDER CRYSTAL DIFFRACTION

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XRD Working
XRD APPLICATIONS
 The electron density and accordingly, the position of the atoms in complex structures, such as
penicillin may be determined from a comprehensive mathematical study of the x-ray diffraction
pattern.
 The elucidation of structure of penicillin by xrd paved the way for the later synthesis of penicillin.
 The powder xrd pattern may be thought of as finger print of the single crystal structure, and it may be
used conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis.
 XRD can also be used to determine whether the compound is solvated or not.
 Particle size determination by applying the relation.
v= V. δθ. cos θ / 2n
Where v = the volume or size of an individual crystalline
V = the total volume of the specimen irradiated
n = the number of spots in a deffraction ring at a Bragg angle θ
 It is used to assess the weathering and degradation of natural and
synthetic , minerals.

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XRD LIMITATIONS

 Homogeneous and single phase material is best for identification of an unknown

 Must have access to a standard reference file of inorganic compounds (d-spacings, hkls)

 Requires tenths of a gram of material which must be ground into a powder

 For mixed materials, detection limit is ~ 2% of sample

 For unit cell determinations, indexing of patterns for non-isometric crystal systems is complicated

 Peak overlay may occur and worsens for high angle 'reflections'

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XRD CONCLUSIONS

 For materials including metals, minerals, plastics, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors XRD
apparatus provide highly accurate tools for non-destructive analysis.

 The diffraction systems are also supported by an extensive range of application software.

 X-ray Diffraction is a very useful to characterize materials for following information.

• Phase analysis
• Lattice parameter determination
• Strain determination
• Texture and orientation analysis
• Order-disorder transformation
and many more things.

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XRD REFERENCES
1.Encyclopedia of Materials Characterization, Lee E Fitzpatrick, Chapter 4, page no. 198-203
2.https://www.geo.arizona.edu/xtal/geos306/fall13-11.html
3. http://www.physics.upenn.edu/~heiney/datasqueeze/basics.html#whatis
4. http://www.ammrf.org.au/myscope/xrd/applications/
5. https://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/geochemsheets/techniques/XRD.html
6. https://pt.slideshare.net/praying1/972-b3102005-diffraction-direction/7
7. http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/mk.anuja-1817353-ray-diffraction-methods/
8. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-540-72816-0_12847
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bragg%27s_law#History
10. https://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/xray-diffraction/index.php
11. https://archive.org/details/elementsofxraydi030864mbp

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