ИСТИНА

When dealing with low-mass samples one of the conventional techniques is zero-background holder (ZBH) usage [1]. Such technique allows obtaining of XRD patterns with good signal-to-noise ratio and virtually zero sample displacements in Bragg-Brentano geometry. Such technique is not always applicable when dealing with small supported samples when sample support is massive (such as metallic foil) since there is a difficulty with sample mounting onto standard ZBH. Nevertheless all benefits from ZBH technique can be achieved if one can install a simple miniature optical stage and use it for ZBH with attached sample positioning even when there is no commercial ZBH available. A sapphire single crystal was characterized using XRD powder diffraction and X-Ray topography and was used in combination with miniature Newport optical stage as sample holder. A simple procedure was developed for ZBH installation with respect to its crystallographic orientation in order to maximize signal-to-noise ratio and avoid double diffraction appearance. Conventional method of sample attachment in standard metal frame was compared with proposed one. This technique is generally can be used with variety of single crystals used as ZBH as well as in some circumstances for textured (as well as epitaxial) single-crystal supported films. [1] S.T. Misture, L.R. Chatfield, R.L. Snyder, Powder Diffr., 1994, 9, 172.