Dartmouth College Department of Earth Sciences

X-ray Diffraction

X-ray diffraction is a critical tool for nearly all earth scientists. WIthin Dartmouth Earth Sciences, we maintain and staff an X-ray diffraction laboratory, equipped with a Bruker D8-Focus diffractometer (XRD). This instrument is contained within a dedicated laboratory facility that also has general equipment for the isolation and preparation of mineral suspensions for analysis. This facility uses many of the techniques pioneered by the late Dr. Bob Reynolds (seen left), one of the most renowned clay mineralogists. In addition to this facility, several other diffractometers, for both powder and single crystal, are available in nearby campus facilities.

For training or assistance in the X-ray diffraction laboratory, please contact Ed Meyer or Josh Landis.

Free Quant Software

RockJock - USGS - Quantitative Minerology from XRD

MudMaster - USGS - Crystiline size distribution and strain from XRD

GALOPER - Shape of Crystal size distribution from XRD

Guides

Estimation for percent illite in illite/EG-smectite (on campus only) from Moore & Reynolds, 1997 p 273

Clay Prep Procedures - Glass Slide Mount (on campus only) from Moore & Reynolds, 1997 p 273

List of Lab Equipment

Centrafuges (including a high speed 20,000 rpm unit)

Blender (clay disagragation)

Ovens

Magnetic separator

Sonicator

X-ray Diffraction

Earth Sciences News