powder diffraction camera

powder diffraction camera

[′pau̇d·ər di′frak·shən ‚kam·rə] (crystallography) A metal cylinder having a window through which an x-ray beam of known wavelength is sent by an x-ray tube to strike a finely ground powder sample mounted in the center of the cylinder; crystal planes in this powder sample diffract the x-ray beam at different angles to expose a photographic film that lines the inside of the cylinder; used to study crystal structure. Also known as x-ray powder diffractometer.