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Requirements for Users of the X-ray Diffraction Laboratory

The X-ray diffraction laboratory in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is open to all University personnel who are interested in obtaining power-diffraction data for their samples. The laboratory can be used for powder samples (rock, clay minerals, experimental materials) and (to some extent) thin film samples. We do not have the capability of doing single-crystal work in our laboratory.

It is recommended that students new to X-ray Powder diffraction take EPS400, "Introduction to X-Ray Powder Diffraction." This course is very strongly recommended to anyone anyone planning to use XRD in their thesis or dissertation research. It is offered in the Spring Semester (usually in alternate odd-numbered years), and provides a practical introduction that will be of great benefit in the understanding and interpretation of your diffraction data. If scheduling prohibits completion of the course, lab users are encouraged to study the course materials on their own. The course title link above provides information about the course, what is covered and access to course materials.

Before use of the laboratory is permitted, all users must demonstrate familiarity with basic radiation safety procedures, be trained in the use of the equipment, and make arrangements to pay for their use of the laboratory either on a personal basis or through a Purchase Requisition to the Department. Continued use of the laboratory requires that all users follow prescribed laboratory policies and procedures; failure to follow these procedures is cause for termination of privileges. To meet these requirements, there are several steps which must be followed:

1. Take and pass a radiation safety examination for X-ray diffraction users. This examination is administered by UNM's Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs (SHEA) located at 1801 Tucker NE (adjacent to the G parking lot north of Lomas Blvd.). Please contact Anthony Lovato (alovato7@unm.edu or 277-0187) who can direct you to study materials for this exam and arrange for a time to take it. The Radiation Safety Officer at SHEA is Jim DeZetter (jimdz@unm.edu; 277-0315). Study materials are also available on the lab website (http://epswww.unm.edu/xrd) on the "Resources" page and in the Powder Diffraction Class Information. After successful completion of the exam, you will be issued a set of dosimeters which must be worn when using the laboratory - a clip-on "badge" used for monitoring body dosage and a "ring" for monitoring extremity dosage.
   
   
2. Receive training on use of the Scintag diffractometer and the associated DataScan and Jade software. The training assumes that the user is familiar with the basic techniques of X-ray diffraction. This training includes startup and shutdown procedures for the Scintag equipment, and basic procedures for loading a sample and collecting data, and takes about 2 hours to complete. When you have completed step 1 above, contact Jim Connolly at 277-9447 (or via Email to connolly@unm.edu) to arrange a time for training. Each trainee should bring with them their recently issued dosimeters, the paperwork obtained in step 1 above and something on which they can take notes.

3. Arrange for payment for your work.
   
   
   • Payment through UNM Accounts: In the pre-Banner days, we needed a Purchase Requisition from your department to cover work to be done. Under the new LINK/Banner finance system we require the Name of the PI (the person who signs off on purchases) and Banner Code for the account to be billed, and will use this information for a direct internal transfer. We bill for use approximately quarterly, and require this information before work is done to minimize possible problems with billing. We only invoice accounts as work is actually done and billed. XRD patterns are $28 per pattern/sample for work billed to UNM accounts for data collected by lab users. Any lab users who require billing more promptly than our quarterly billing schedule should contact the lab manager so that this may be arranged.
     
     
   • Personal Payments: We accept cash or check for payment for personal work done in the laboratory. Indicate that the work is personal in the logbook and we will invoice you at billing time.

Only personnel affiliated with the University of New Mexico (faculty, staff, students, post-doctoral fellows, etc.) are permitted to use the laboratory. The only outside users permitted are those who are working with and are sponsored by UNM faculty in a University-administered research program.

Laboratory personnel or other qualified analysts in the department can do work for outside users (i.e., other Universities, government agencies and private corporations) on a contract basis. XRD patterns collected by lab personnel and billed to UNM or other University or Government funded accounts are charged at $45/pattern. There are other fee schedules for work done for private corporations or individuals, and for preparation of reports and/or special sample preparation. If you are interested in having XRD work done, please contact the Lab Manager, Jim Connolly, by Email (connolly@unm.edu) for details.