• Location: Laboratory G65 (02 9385 9788) in the Chemical Sciences Building (F10)
• Yu Wang (02 9385 4669, Office M69 - access via Lab G65)
• Mohan Bhadbhade (02 9385 9898, Office M68 - access via Lab G65)
• Don Craig (02 9385 4595, Office M65 - access via Lab G61)

XRD Laboratory Capabilities

Welcome to the X-ray Diffraction Laboratory at the Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales. We are a centralised research and education service laboratory, specialising in X-ray diffraction facilities and technologies. We provide services to all researchers, students, institutes and industries within and outside of the University.

X-ray diffraction is a key technology to study the microstructures of molecular and crystalline materials. We provide professionally integrated X-ray diffraction services, including various types of X-ray diffraction facilities, software and technologies for investigation of polycrystalline materials and single crystal structures.

We are an open laboratory, with XRD facilities and technologies accessible to all qualified researches and customers; new users are encourage to take training courses to become qualified instrument operators. In addition, professional contact or consulting services are also available.

Browse our Web site for more information about the X-ray Diffraction Laboratory. If you have any questions regarding Powder Diffraction facilities and services, please e-mail yu.wang@unsw.edu.au or call Dr. Yu Wang on (02) 9385 4669. Crystallography queries should be directed to Dr. Mohan Bhadbhade on (02) 9385 9898 (m.bhadbhade@unsw.edu.au).

Click here to view the crystallography sample submission form.

Click here to view the instruments available in the XRD lab.

UNSW researchers click here to register to use the Powder instruments in the XRD lab.

User Policy

The User Policy of the X-ray Diffraction Laboratory is to provide a framework for regulating and facilitating safe, efficient and fair use of X-ray diffraction facilities at the laboratory. It has considered a variety of user needs and sensitivities, and also covered requirements for lab management, continuity of laboratory operation and long-term development. The policy is applied to all users, supervisors and staff who are working or intend to work in this laboratory. It is reviewed from time to time, with input from the Reference Advisory Group. The details can be found from the User Policy.

Access Procedures

The X-ray diffraction laboratory (room G65, South wing, Chemical science building (F10), Kensington campus, UNSW) is a restricted area due to the requirements of radiation safety. Only qualified students/staff can access the laboratory. Visitors must be accompanied by a qualified member of staff.

Students, staff or other researchers who want to use the X-ray diffraction facilities, must first attend the training of radiation safety and specific operating procedures for one of the XRD units. They should obtain a copy of the Radiation Safety Guidelines and User Policy during the training.

After training, the users must:

1. Sign the Safety declaration form and Registration form.

2. Complete the Risk Assessment.

3. Submit the forms to the Radiation Safety Officer of the laboratory.

4. Once registered, the users will receive a confirmation email, and be granted a permission to access the XRD lab (G65) and Chemical science building (F10), using their student/staff card.

The X-ray Diffraction Laboratory opens 24 hour per day and 7 days per week. There are special safety requirements for working after normal hours (6:00 pm to 8:00 am), which has been circulated in Policy for Working After Normal Hours. Undergraduate students and users who have operating experience less than 20 hours are not allowed to work after normal hours. Only experienced users can access the laboratory after hours.

Booking and Use of an Instrument

Trained users can access the booking system of the XRD laboratory online. In the system users can view time available for a particular instrument and book for a selected time slot. There are a few rules to ensure efficient and fair use of the facilities.

1. The maximum booking session for a single user is one day. The user must make the next day free for other users. The exception may be considered when the XRD test requires particular component setting and multi-scans, such as reciprocal space mapping, rocking curve or texture/stresses scans.

2. If a user cannot use his/her XRD session for any reason, he/she must cancel the session before it commences. Otherwise, a charge will be made for the time wasted on the XRD unit.

3. If a user has booked time on an XRD unit but does not turn up within 20 minutes of the commencement of his/her session, other potential users may use the XRD for the equivalent time booked by this user.

MPD Sample Information

There are two MPD sample holders:

1. The normal sample holder has a diameter of 30mm and depth of 2.5mm, and this is recommended for most experiments.

2. If you have a limited quantity of sample, then a smaller sample holder is available which is 15mm in diameter with a depth of 1mm. The smaller sample holder requires a quarter of the volume of a normal sample.

XRD Partners

Our XRD laboratory has an industry partner that helps expose UNSW staff and students to state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation and offers specialised training courses within the Analytical Centre.