A versatile X-ray diffraction station at LNLS (Brazil).

Versatility was a major consideration in the project to provide an X-ray diffraction station at LNLS. At least two techniques are possible at the station: powder diffraction and multiple single-crystal diffraction. A two-crystal monochromator based on monolithic elastic translators, developed at LNLS, with sagittal focusing by the second crystal, allows 10 mrad of a >/=2 keV monochromatic beam to be used on the diffractometer. The station is equipped with a fast scintillation detector, imaging plates, a high-energy-resolution pin-diode detector, an ionization chamber and a high-angular-resolution soller slit. The data collection and control hardware and software were also developed at LNLS. The theta-2theta goniometry for powder diffraction on this 1 m-diameter diffractometer is based on commercial rotation tables. The multiple single-crystal goniometry is realized by an independent elastic axis driven by differential micrometers for both high- and low-resolution angular movements. At least four independent axes can be positioned as necessary on the diffractometer table. Powder diffractograms and double-crystal rocking curves collected with the synchrotron beam show the expected quality.