Maxwell Centre Powder X-ray Diffractometer Facility
The Maxwell Centre houses a Bruker D8 Advance powder X-ray diffractometer. The instrument is suitable for both short measurements to determine phase purity and longer scans for quantitative structural analysis.
The diffractometer has Cu Kα (λ= 1.54 Å) radiation and operates in reflection, theta-theta mode (i.e. fixed sample) with a 2D strip detector. The sample changer allows for automated measurements of up to nine samples and sample rotation.
Low temperature Stage: an Oxford Cryosystems PheniX stage is available for use with the diffractometer. The PheniX stage allows for measurement of a flat, static sample between 12 – 310 K. Temperature control (+/- 1 K) is automated through the XRD control software.
Analysis Software: the XRD facility has access to Bruker EVA software for phase identification and qualitative analysis and Bruker Topas software for quantitative analysis. A limited number of site licenses for both software are available for use on networked computers. Further information is available on request.
Instrument resolution files generated from a NIST standard Al2O3 sample for use with GSAS and FULLPROF analysis software are available. The raw data is also available for use with other analysis software.
Bookings
Bookings can only be made by registered users of the Powder Diffractometer. Bookings are managed using an online calender, access to which is given following user training.
Bookings should be made no more than 2 weeks in advance. Until the day of the booking, bookings are limited to the following:
If you cancel your slot please email the user list at maxwell-powderXRD-users@lists.cam.ac.uk
Billing Rates
An hourly rate (billed in half-hour increments) is charged for use of the instrument. Billings are capped for overnight and weekend experiments.
The diffractometer has Cu Kα (λ= 1.54 Å) radiation and operates in reflection, theta-theta mode (i.e. fixed sample) with a 2D strip detector. The sample changer allows for automated measurements of up to nine samples and sample rotation.
Low temperature Stage: an Oxford Cryosystems PheniX stage is available for use with the diffractometer. The PheniX stage allows for measurement of a flat, static sample between 12 – 310 K. Temperature control (+/- 1 K) is automated through the XRD control software.
Analysis Software: the XRD facility has access to Bruker EVA software for phase identification and qualitative analysis and Bruker Topas software for quantitative analysis. A limited number of site licenses for both software are available for use on networked computers. Further information is available on request.
Instrument resolution files generated from a NIST standard Al2O3 sample for use with GSAS and FULLPROF analysis software are available. The raw data is also available for use with other analysis software.
Bookings
Bookings can only be made by registered users of the Powder Diffractometer. Bookings are managed using an online calender, access to which is given following user training.
Bookings should be made no more than 2 weeks in advance. Until the day of the booking, bookings are limited to the following:
- Weekdays 8 am – 1 pm: Maximum of one hour booking
- Weekdays 1 – 6 pm: Maximum of two hour booking
- Evenings: No more than two evening slots per week
- Weekends: No restrictions
If you cancel your slot please email the user list at maxwell-powderXRD-users@lists.cam.ac.uk
Billing Rates
An hourly rate (billed in half-hour increments) is charged for use of the instrument. Billings are capped for overnight and weekend experiments.
Value |
Phys/Maxwell |
UCAM/other HEI |
Other |
Hourly rate |
£10 |
£15 |
£40 |
Evenings (6pm - 8 am) capped at |
£50 |
£75 |
£200 |
Weekend Day (8 am - 6 pm) capped at |
£50 |
£75 |
£200 |
Access to the XRD facility.
Prior to instrument specific training new users are required to register as visitors to either the Physics department or Maxwell Centre and complete the relevant health and safety training. New users should complete the user registration form and contact the admin team to schedule a training session.
Training covers operation of the instrument at ambient temperature and assumes that users will be responsible for deciding on the measurements to be undertaken and data analysis. If further training is required this should be discussed with the Maxwell XRD admin team.
Use of the low temperature stage for measurements between 12 and 310 K requires separate training. This is conducted as required. Low temperature measurements are typically run overnight or at weekends and take ~2 hours to set-up, additional time to reconfigure the diffractometer is required at the end of the measurement.
Please contact Maxwell Powder XRD Admin for further information.
Prior to instrument specific training new users are required to register as visitors to either the Physics department or Maxwell Centre and complete the relevant health and safety training. New users should complete the user registration form and contact the admin team to schedule a training session.
Training covers operation of the instrument at ambient temperature and assumes that users will be responsible for deciding on the measurements to be undertaken and data analysis. If further training is required this should be discussed with the Maxwell XRD admin team.
Use of the low temperature stage for measurements between 12 and 310 K requires separate training. This is conducted as required. Low temperature measurements are typically run overnight or at weekends and take ~2 hours to set-up, additional time to reconfigure the diffractometer is required at the end of the measurement.
Please contact Maxwell Powder XRD Admin for further information.
