Links of related interest J. W. Mies e-mail to Jonathan-Mies@utc.edu Home Page oneweb.utc.edu/~Jonathan-Mies UTC links UTC Home Page Geology Home Page Physics, Geology and Astron. UTC Catalogs Lupton Library Geobase (electronic index) UTC geology classes that will utilize the XRD GEOL 442, X-ray Diffraction Mineralogy, GEOL 341 Petrology, GEOL 342 Sed. Rocks and Strat., GEOL 303 Sed. Petrol., GEOL 431 Geol. Field Experience, GEOL 496 Senior Seminar, GEOL 490 Departmental Honors, GEOL 495 Research, GEOL 497r Indep. Studies, GEOL 498r    XRD upgrade Comments are welcome. E-mail me at Jonathan-Mies@utc.edu

X-Ray Diffraction Lab The geology program at UTC has recently upgraded its X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The project was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF DUE-9952345) and UTC's Center of Excellence for Computer Applications (CECA). The upgraded XRD, commissioned in June of 2001, will be used for both research and instructional purposes and will be integrated into the existing geology curriculum. Also see the upgrade page, which describes the old instrument and the modifications that were made to the geochemistry laboratory to accommodate the upgraded instrument. The new (upgraded) diffractometer, a PW1830 / 3550 / 3710 from Philips Analytical, is automated and includes safety devices that the old instrument lacked. It is shown here (right) during one of its maiden scans. The new XRD lab. (April '01) The following materials are intended for users of the XRD lab at UTC. Most of them are specific to the Philips X-ray diffraction system (PW1830, PW3550, PW3710, X'Pert line software, etc.) at UTC. Notes, procedures, graphics Notes and procedures are ".pdf" files that require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you have Acrobat Reader installed and your browser is appropriately configured, these files will appear in your browser window. You can also save these files to your hard disk and view or print them later. If you need Acrobat Reader, click here. Components List of XRD components. File: 12 KB, 1/14/01 Guide Pictorial guide to the XRD. File: 260 KB, 1/14/01 Parts poster 14"x12" (1000x850) poster. File (jpg): 385 KB, 8/12/03 Safety, part 1 Safety, part 2 Radiation safety in the X-ray diffraction lab Part 1, Fundamentals of radiation safety. File: 20 KB, 7/30/03 Part 2, Shielding and automatic shutter. File: 380 KB, 7/30/03 Startup Start-up procedures for the PW1830. File: 12 KB, 1/14/01 Scan Procedure to scan a specimen. File: 20 KB, 8/15/01 Identify Procedure to identify minerals. File: 20 KB, 8/14/01 Shutdown Shutdown procedures. File: 8 KB, 8/12/01 Instructional Videos These 1- to 2-minute movies (".mov" files) require a QuickTime Player, which is available for both Mac OS and Windows. If you need the QuickTime Player, click here. For those that note such things, the video was shot with an 8-mm Sony Handycam and was digitized at 30 fps and 320 x 240 pixels using a Mac G3, Strata VideoShop software, and the XLR8 InterView USB video bus. The finished movies are Sorenson Video format (medium quality), 320 x 240 pixels, 6 fps, and have no sound track. An Introduction to the XRD System A short tour of the XRD system in the geology program at UTC. Time: 00:01:10, File: 5.6 MB, 7/7/02 Sample Preparation for Powder XRD The sample must be crushed to a flour-like consistency before it is loaded into the sample holder. Time: 00:01:04, File: 3.8 MB, 7/7/02 Safety Considerations The new (upgraded) diffractometer includes safety devices that the old instrument lacked. Time: 00:01:08, File: 3.9 MB, 7/28/02 Backloading the PW1172 Sample Holder Backloading reduces preferred orientation on the front side of the pressed powder. (Also see XRD Studies of Home-Grown Crystals.) Time: 00:01:23, File: 5.9 MB, 7/7/02 Start-up Procedure for the PW1830 Generator If the generator is off, the start-up procedure (tube breeding) is more complicated. Time: 00:00:00, File: 0.0 MB Warm-up Procedure for the PW1830 Generator Warming up the generator from an idled state (30 kV, 20 mA) is relatively simple. Time: 00:01:09, File: 2.9 MB, 7/7/02 Loading and Changing Samples The PW1172 sample holder, with a pressed powder, is loaded into the sample chamber. (Also see XRD Studies of Home-Grown Crystals.) Time: 00:01:11, File: 4.2 MB, 7/14/02 Accessing the Divergence Slit The divergence slit is the only "primary" slit on this diffraction system. Time: 00:01:09, File: 5.0 MB, 7/13/02 Accessing Secondary Slits "Secondary" slits include a receiving slit, a scatter slit, and soller slits. Time: 00:01:20, File: 6.4 MB, 7/20/02 The Manual Scan The quick manual scan is used to determine appropriate measurement conditions. Time: 00:00:00, File: 0.0 MB The Program-Controlled Scan The longer program-controlled scan is used to collect good diffraction data. Time: 00:00:00, File: 0.0 MB Cool-Down Procedure for the PW1830 Generator After data is collected, the current and tension should be turned down to idled settings (20 mA, 30 kV). Time: 00:00:00, File: 0.0 MB Computer-Automated Search-Match The search-match routine (of the PDF database) is used identify minerals. Time: 00:00:00, File: 0.0 MB XRD Studies of Home-Grown Crystals Features time-lapse footage of crystal growth and various steps of powder XRD. A text narrative explains each scene of the movie. 240 x 180, Time: 00:01:10, File: 2.6 MB