A high-temperature focusing X-ray powder camera with new features

A film-type X-ray high-temperature (up to about 2250 K) powder camera using the Guinier focusing principle in transmission is described. Use is made of a germanium monochromator. The powder specimen is spread without adhesive on a horizontal supporting film of refractory material, and rotates about a vertical axis. The support is surrounded by a cylindrical furnace of thin tantalum sheet enclosed in a chamber which can be evacuated or filled with an inert gas. The X-radiation enters and leaves the chamber through beryllium windows. The film holder is situated outside the chamber. The sample temperature is measured by thermocouples and optical pyrometry. Problems due to the coating by evaporated material of the silica glass window used to observe the specimen are obviated by the use of a transparent shield which can be rotated to give fresh surfaces when needed.