Sample Preparation
This page contains instructional videos on how to prepare various types of samples using our sample holders from Malvern Panalytical.
Back-loaded Sample Holder
This video demonstrates how to prepare a larger amount of powder using a back-loaded sample holder. This sample holder is typically preferred as it helps reduce preferred orientation if the sample particles are not spherical, it produces a relatively smooth surface (smooth for a powder), and the sample height is better controlled. This sample holder is great if you want to perform Rietveld refinements on your data, but it does require more powder than the shallow well sample holder (see video below).
Shallow-well Sample Holder
This video demonstrates how to prepare a small amount of powder for a diffraction experiment. This sample holder is primarily used when the sample has spherical particles and is utilized for phase identification and the determination of crystallinity.
Solid Sample Holder
This video demonstrates how to prepare a solid sample for a diffraction experiment. If your sample is more than 6.5 mm thick or 44 mm in diameter, it will not fit in this holder. However, you can use an XYZ stage and perform manual alignments (which the lab manager can help with and will be covered in a future video).
Air-sensitive Sample Holder
This video demonstrates how to prepare an air-sensitive XRD sample (such as a hygroscopic sample). While this is performed in air for the demonstration, it should be performed in a glovebox in practice so that the sample can be kept from ambient air. If your sample does not have spherical particles, this sample holder could introduce preferred orientation.