Non-destructive X-ray microdiffraction

Benefit description

X-ray diffraction is one of the most effective techniques for studying any crystalline material, be it inorganic or organic, natural or synthetic. It allows the microstructural characterization of the crystalline phases found in a sample. The Non-Destructive Techniques Service of the National Museum of Natural Sciences has a Bruker D8-Discover X-ray diffraction equipment, with a Cu anode source. It provides service both internally and externally. D8-Discover X-ray diffraction equipment is a microdifraction equipment, it allows the analysis of small areas of the sample without previous treatment, it has collimators between 2mm and 50¿m. The location of the area of interest is performed using a microscope and a laser pointer to optimize the height. In this way, qualitative analyzes can be carried out in a non-destructive way, preserving the integrity of valuable samples, such as gems, type or paleontological samples. It also allows making mapping and linescan. Additionally, the equipment has a heating oven that reaches 1400oC in order to be able to carry out studies of phase changes, solid solutions, etc.