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X-ray diffraction is a central technique in the investigation of condensed matter, providing direct insight into the crystal structures of materials.

It is a very flexible method also, with applications ranging from quantitative assessment of industrial feed and product materials to complex crystal structure determination. Modern laboratory scale instrumentation is both fast and easy to use, and is consequently ubiquitous in both research and industrial analysis laboratories.

The powder diffraction facility at the Institute for Materials Technology was established in its modern form in 1997, and has grown since then to service the needs of both IMT and the wider NV Faculty. Currently we boast state of the art diffraction facilities for the analysis of powders and solid compacts and we are open to users from all NTNU and SINTEF departments. The X-ray diffraction lab is primarily "user-operated", with routine data collection and analysis being performed by researchers themselves. In this way we complement the educational role of the University, with on average ~60+ new users being trained every year.

We currently have four instruments with sample holders and ancillary equipment enabling the collection of data on a broad variety of specimens and under non-ambient environmental conditions.

Our core instrumentation comprises

1. Bruker D8 Advance DaVinci, ("DaVinci1") with LynxEye™ super-speed detector and 60-position sample changer
2. Bruker D8 Advance DaVinci, ("DaVinci2") with LynxEye™ super-speed detector, Mo-source
3. Bruker D8 Advance with Våntec-1 super-speed detector
4. Bruker D8 Focus with LynxEye™ super-speed detector
5. Siemens D5005 equipped for high resolution powder data collection (The "A-Unit")

With these we can collect high quality data for a wide range of analysis objectives, including:

1. Routine sample analysis: Phase identification and purity
2. Quantitative phase analysis
3. Crystallite size determination via Scherrer or whole pattern fitting methods
4. Crystal structure determinination and Rietveld analysis
5. Non ambient experiments: -190°C to 1600°C under inert and reactive gas atmospheres, and 1-20bar gas pressure.

To aid data analysis and interpretation the laboratory offers a wide range of software analysis tools including the latest ICCD structural databases and the Bruker Topas Rietveld analysis software. Users also have free access to support and training with respect to their data analysis.

For more detailed information of our capabilities please read the relevant sections linked to the left. Enquiries regarding the laboratory should be sent to

Senior Engineer Elvia Chavez Panduro
Email: ​​​​​​​elvia.a.c.panduro@ntnu.no
​​​​​​​Phone: +47 987 64 815.