Instructions for use of Siemens D5000STD.pdf

Very carefully remove the metal plate. Try to lift it off directly – any sliding motion could
cause a smearing effect on the powder surface, which is exactly what we’re trying to
prevent!
Label the specimen holder with marker pen.
For bulk specimens
1. Make sure your specimen has at least one surface which is level and smooth.
2. Remove or add Apiezon putty to the plastic specimen holder as necessary, and
mould the putty so that your specimen can sit on top of a mound of putty.
3. Place the specimen on to the putty and press down lightly to help it stick.
4. Turn the holder upside down and gently press down on to a flat surface. The top
of the specimen MUST BE LEVEL with the top of this specimen holder.
5. Load the plastic specimen holder with specimen into the large round spring-
loaded D5000 specimen holder, and load in to instrument.
Key point #1: if the specimen height is incorrect, you WILL get specimen height
displacement errors in your data, e.g. if the specimen is too high, your Bragg reflections
will be shifted to higher angles (and too low, peaks shifted to lower angles). This can
make phase analysis very difficult!
Key point #2: the Apiezon putty is partly crystalline, so will give peaks in your diffraction
pattern should it get in to the beam. Make sure your specimen is mounted on the
putty, and not embedded too deeply into it!
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