Geometrical problems with a position-sensitive detector employed on a diffractometer, including its use in the measurement of stress

Defocusing errors associated with the use of a one-dimensional position-sensitive proportional counter on a powder diffractometer are considered. These errors are small in the measurement of residual stress and it is not necessary to apply mathematical corrections, especially if the X-ray tube is aligned properly. Correspondingly, these errors are small for high-angle peaks in any reflection experiment compared with the present detector resolution. The equations presented allow for an evaluation of this error in most equipment configurations.