Phase quantification

• RIR method
  Based on reference intensity ratios (RIR values) and on the determined scale factors of the phases. Results are only 'semi-quantitative' unless the RIR values were determined for the specific mixture under investigation.
  
  
• Calibration method
  Based on the intensity or area of a peak per phase. Concentrations are obtained from a calibration line previously created from a set of standard samples of known compositions. Amorphous compounds can also be quantified in this way.
  
  
• Autoscale method
  Full-pattern quantification based on the previously measured, individual intensity profiles of all mixture constituents and the RIR values. The method is particularly suitable for clays imposing irregular peak shapes or when multiple amorphous phases are to be quantified. Also suitable to determine the degree of crystallinity.
  
  
• Rietveld refinement
  A standardless method in which calculated diffractograms of each phase are varied until the best fit with the experimental pattern is obtained. From the determined scale factors phase concentrations can be deduced. This method requires atomic crystal structure data of all phases as input for the refinement. It is particularly powerful for complex phase mixtures showing strong peak overlap. The content of amorphous materials can be quantified as well.

The Empyrean multi-purpose XRD platform is well-suited to phase quantification. Aeris compact XRD is an excellent tool for routine phase quantification tasks in both research and industrial environments.

Calibration-based methods are covered by the Quantify and Industry software packages. 

HighScore allows for the RIR and autoscale methods and HighScore Plus additionally covers the Rietveld refinement and hkl fit methods, which use Miller indices. 

All software packages also offer several automation and customizable reporting options.