Dear Arun,

In principle, you can use different standards, in particular those produced by NIST (USA). I think, the most convenient way is to use thin glass capillaries (about 0.1-0.2 mm diameter) filled with the reference powder (external standard). LaB6 is quite convenient as it possesses primitive cubic lattice and so has sufficient number of the Bragg peaks. Si or Al2O3 powder also may be recommended. If the sample-to-detector distance is quite large in comparison with the sample size, then the absorption is not so crucial to produce serious peak position shifts.

Hi Arun,

We use High Density Polyethylene for the WAXS. It is convenient for temperatures around RT+/-50°C

• Known, predictable, invariant diffraction pattern
• Annealed state to minimize stress/strain effects.
• Exhibiting continuous "sharp" Debye-Scherrer Arcs/Rings. Appropriate particle/grain size will aid.
• Minimal "preferred orientation" effects.

Shown below are some examples of real time 2D diffractograms from samples including powders, foils, fibers, etc. in the transmission Laue mode. These diffractograms were acquired at small SDD (sample to detector distance) in the range of 5-25 mm. Even the house-hold aluminum foil with its preferred orientation may serve as a "standard" as long as its pattern is predictable and repeatable. Note the example of NIST LaB6 powder standard in capillary obtained from BNL (Synchrotron) in the transmission mode at 100 mm SDD.

Suggestion: Try a known thin foil in transmission as a standard!

I'd think, ideally, the standard should be of similar dimension and morphology as the subject sample, i.e., powder for powder, foil for foil, fiber for fiber :-)

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_best_way_to_interpret_REAL_TIME_3D_X_Y_o-2TH_o_ph_ch_reciprocal_space_relative_intensity_data_from_HRXRD_rocking_curve_analyses

https://www.flickr.com/photos/85210325@N04/8707355113/in/album-72157632728981912/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/85210325@N04/7920887956/in/album-72157632728981912/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/85210325@N04/7909734896/in/album-72157632724090465/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acgFl5M7P-I&index=9&list=PL7032E2DAF1F3941F

Spinning the capillary helps and it's fun!

"Spinning the capillary" can certainly be used to integrate the 2D signal and find the time average. The LaB6 example above illustrates capillary spinning in the synchrotron. It is more fun to examine individual DD (diffracting domain) by recording and examining the rocking curve for the powder :-)

Practically, it may be a lot easier to orient a poly crystalline thin foil perpendicular to the beam than to find a "sweet spot" on the capillary and orient it along the diffractometer axis. I'm yet to try. I will soon.

I'd also agree on LaB6

And LaB6 is purple! Case closed.