A remarkable new high speed, real time multi purpose X-ray diffraction system has been developed by Inel in the UK that is said to be at least 100 times faster than any other commercial instrument
X-ray diffraction has always been a slow analytical technique due mainly to the need to rotate a heavy X-ray source and detector in a circle around the sample which in turn has required complicated, expensive and very slow mechanical drive systems.
The new X-ray diffractometer is called Equinox and Inel says it unique design has allowed it to eliminate all of the complex mechanical systems normaly found in diffraction systems.
In there place is a rugged and very high resolution position sensitive detector that can measure all angles of diffraction simultaneously and in real time.
By removing all scanning mechanics the time taken to measure a sample is just two or three seconds as compared to the usual ten minutes to one hour.
A very important feature of the design is that operator safety is dramatically improved in that the detector permits much lower X-ray power on the sample.
In addition the design is perfect for kinetic or dynamic measurements, a feature not found on other diffraction systems due to the long measure time.
Other features include very high resolution of just 0.07 to 0.1deg2theta.
There is also no longer a requirement for routine after sales service due to the lack of complex moving parts.
The design provides very high reliability and a price tag of just $110,000, or half that of other commercial instruments.
Both bench top and standard designs are available.
