EARLY FINDING OF PREFERRED ORIENTATION - A NEW METHOD

Pattern decomposition programs are able to derive, from the measured p owder diffraction patterns, estimates of the square moduli of the stru cture factors. A method is described that, by statistical analysis of the normalized structure-factor moduli, is able to obtain information about the possible presence of preferred orientation. Cylindrical symm etry of the specimen is necessary. The method proves to be efficient a nd quite useful for the application of direct methods to powder data.