X-Ray Core Facility

University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
What the facility does

Single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF)

Areas of expertise

The X-Ray Core Facility provides sample analysis via single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The three techniques can be complementary and are routinely used by materials scientists, chemists, physicists, geologists and engineers. The facility currently houses two single-crystal X-ray diffractometers, two powder X-ray diffractometers and one X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.

Research services

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence

Sectors of application
  • Chemical industries
  • Clean technology
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
  • Manufacturing and processing
EquipmentFunction
Bruker KAPPA APEX II single-crystal X-ray diffractometerA four-circle KAPPA goniometer with the APEX II CCD detector. The X-ray source is a molybdenum fine-focus sealed tube combined with a TRIUMPH monochromator that delivers more than three times higher intensity at the sample than previous generations of monochromators
Bruker SMART APEX II single-crystal X-ray diffractometerA three-circle goniometer with the APEX II CCD detector. The X-ray source is a molybdenum fine-focus sealed tube combined with a MONOCAP focusing collimator for increased intensity.
Philips PW3020 X’Pert powder diffractometerA general-purpose theta/2theta system with twin goniometers and a single long fine-focus X-ray tube with a copper anode. One goniometer is dedicated to standard diffraction measurements, while the other is used to study phase transitions of samples by coupling with Anton Parr low- (~80 to 575 K) or high- (up to 1300°C) temperature cameras.
Rigaku Ultima IV powder diffractometerA general-purpose theta/theta system with a copper source and a diffracted beam monochromator that can be used with either focused-beam or parallel-beam geometries; configured for use of either fixed or variable slit widths, the latter facilitating data measurement at low angles. A small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) attachment is used to determine particle/pore size of a nanomaterial (1nm-100nm) in transmission mode. A micro area stage and microscope allow for x-y mapping of a sample by scanning various x-y positions with very small beam sizes using a specially designed selection slit.
Supermini200 high-power sequential wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometerThe spectrometer provides elemental analysis of oxygen (O) through uranium (U). X-ray fluorescence is supported by a sample-preparation lab with a Claisse fluxer for fused discs and a Carver press for pressed pellets.