Papers by Keyword: Crystal Structure Solution

Abstract: Program FOX for ab initio crystal structure determination from powder diffraction uses global optimization algorithms to find the correct structure by making trials in the direct space. It is a modular program, capable of using several criteria for evaluating each trial configuration, e.g. combining neutron and X-ray diffraction patterns. The program describes the structural building blocks (polyhedrons, molecules etc.) with their internal coordinates (Z-matrices), thus allowing natural constraints on interatomic distances and angles. Identical atoms shared between neighboring building blocks, and special positions are handled with an automatic, adaptive method (Dynamical Occupancy Correction). Several algorithms (Simulated Annealing, Parallel Tempering) are currently available. The program is based on an object-oriented crystallographic library ObjCryst++(programming language c++). The program and the library are available for Linux and Windows on http://objcryst.sourceforge.net. Inorganic and organic structures with the complexity up to 26 independents atoms are routinely solved from laboratory X-ray, synchrotron or neutron data.

Abstract: The ab-initio crystal structure solution via powder diffraction data is often uncomplete. A recent procedure POLPO [1] aims at completing a partial structure model provided by Direct Methods by exploiting the prior information on the polyhedral coordination of the located atoms (tetrahedral or octahedral) and their connectivity has been developed. The POLPO procedure requires that all the cations are correctly labelled and rightly located. This condition does not always occur, particularly when the data quality is poor. A new method is described which is able to locate missing cations and surrounding anions when the cation coordination is tetrahedral or octahedral.