High Resolution Powder Diffraction Data Collection and Analysis: An introductory practical course in powder diffraction based on synchrotron radiation

January 25-27, 2005

Location
Brookhaven national Laboratory

Purpose & Scope of Workshop:
This course provides a broad introduction to the collection and analysis of powder diffraction, emphasizing high resolution techniques. The combination of intensity and resolution available from a synchrotron source makes powder diffraction viable as a structural technique for a large variety of materials, from framework compounds to pharmaceuticals.

Topics of the three-day course include:

• Basic physics of powder x-ray diffraction
• Aspects of data collection - flat plate and capillary samples, artifacts and corrections
• Hands on data collection at several available NSLS beamlines
• Rietveld refinement (hands on use of GSAS and EXPGUI with data collected at the workshop)
• Indexing to find unit cell from powder data
• Brief introduction to techniques for structure determination from powder data
• Opportunity for students to collect data on their own samples (Prior arrangements must be made to bring samples to the NSLS.)

Other techniques, such as in situ time resolved measurements, will be discussed in the lectures, but are not covered in the practicals.

This course is aimed at researchers (graduate students, postdocs, research staff, faculty) who have some knowledge of x-ray diffraction techniques, and wish to take fuller advantage of the technique.

Criteria to Select Students

1. The course is intended for new users and young scientists. Preference will be given to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Lack of experience with synchrotron radiation will not be penalized.



2. Early application is strongly encouraged.



3. In addition to submitting an Application Form for this workshop, all attendees must register in BNL's Guest Information System. Approval, which can take 30 days or more, must be granted prior to attending this workshop.
   
   Under Department of Energy directives, requests by citizens of Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria to attend this workshop require extensive review and approval by many agencies, including the Secretary of the Department of Energy. Approval may take a year or more. If you are still interested in performing work or attending workshops at the NSLS, please contact NSLS User Administration for further information.

Cost for the workshop is $350, which includes three nights housing on-site at Brookhaven National Laboratory and meals during the course.

Application deadline is December 10, 2004.