Applications of X-ray Diffraction Methods to Quantitative Chemical Analysis

In the 60 years since its discovery, X-ray diffraction has become established as one of the most important techniques in the study of crystalline materials for fundamental and applied research and for routine analyses. Perusal of the literature in scientific fields such as chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy, and pharmacology shows applications of X-ray diffraction to such varied subjects a s chemical analysis, crystal structure analysis, imperfections, phase equilibria, particle size and strain (stress), orientation of a single crystal or of grains or components within a polycrystalline substance, and order-disorder.