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                                            Geology and Geophysics


YALE UNIVERSITY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS
KLINE GEOLOGICAL LABORATORY, P.O. BOX 208109
NEW HAVEN, CT 06520-8109



CURRENT STATUS OF THE YALE GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS XRD

The Yale Scintag PAD V diffractometer currently is UP.   Some time ago now we experienced some sporadic detector-noise issues that are not well understood and have recurred occasionally, but hope we those remain rare [knock wood...]. Prior noise issues were traced to a power-supply problem, which now has been remedied, so these other events have some as-yet-unidentified cause. We shall continue to watch carefully any high sensitivity or extended-duration scans, but at this time we anticipate successfully accomodating the wide range of scan types of which this instrument is capable.  Thanks to Karl Hoffman (formerly of Scintag, now with Compass Engineering) and Mitch Hammer (Yale Electrical Supervisor) for providing some suggestions that, much earlier, seemed to help minimize the detector-noise problem.  Thank you, Karl and Mitch.

We have continued to operate with a "normal" beam, except we have in place a Ni filter so intensities are a bit lower than without the filter (where exclusion of K-beta ideally would employ only the PHA electronics, or TSCA). Nonetheless, all peaks have been well resolved and P/B ratios remain reasonably high. Re-tuning of the PHA [most recently 1/16/09] met with no additional success; thus, this configuration, still with the Ni filter in place, is yielding respectable P/B on test scans.

Please send Jim Eckert any comments or questions. However, please note that the lab schedules may preclude an especially rapid reply, so thanks in advance for your patience. Operating time may be arranged as available, though at least 1.5 or 2-week advance scheduling always is recommended, especially if any training or operator assistance may be required. 
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Scheduling "crises", requiring immediate analysis, generally cannot be accommodated on short notice; if possible; thank you for planning ahead. Thank you.

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For Additional Details, Please Contact:

JAMES O. ECKERT, Jr., Ph.D.
Microprobe Laboratory Manager, KGL 327
Phone: 203-432-3181 FAX: (203) 432-3134
XRD Lab: 203-432-5169

email: Jim Eckert
Please note that the lab schedules often preclude an especially rapid reply; we appreciate your patience.

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