2. Experimental powder diffraction methods

Experimental techniques for recording diffraction patterns have evolved enormously, not only in terms of their basic set-up, but also in terms of accessories and special devices.

X-ray diffraction equipment essentially consists of three parts: the X-ray source, the sample and the detector. The source is usually an X-ray tube, while the sample may be fixed in a photographic chamber or mounted on a goniometer. Detection is carried out either instantaneously over a large 2 θ angular range by photographic film or a photon counter locating the impacts of diffracted X-rays, or by scanning the 2 θ angular range with a counter.