If you have an observed diffraction pattern, for a multi-phase mixture, then you can use CrystalDiffract to estimate the relative proportions of the constituent phases.
Before you begin, you will need:
Your observed diffraction pattern, saved as a text file, in xy format.
CrystalMaker crystal files corresponding to each of the phases in your mixture.
Example. Suppose you are studying a metal alloy with composition AxB1-x. You wish to establish the value of x. You would need the observed diffraction pattern for the alloy, plus CrystalMaker crystal files for the two end-member components, A and B.
To Estimate the Composition of a Mixture:
You need to load the observed diffraction pattern and the crystal files, into the same window, so they can easily be compared.
Switch to Mixture mode, to simulate a mixture (Plot > Mixture). You should now have just two patterns displayed: your observed pattern, and a simulated pattern, corresponding to an equi-phase mixture of the various components.
Locate the Mixture group in the Parameters pane (Mac) or the Parameters window (Windows).
Select one of the components in the Mixture group, then click-and-drag the slider control to vary its proportion (volume fraction).
(Note that as you do this, CrystalDiffract automatically adjusts the proportions of the other components - as displayed in the Mixture group, and in the Legend - to ensure that the overall sum of mixture proportions remains constant.)
Repeat with other components, until you have a good match for the observed pattern.
The composition of the simulated mixture - in terms of the proportions of the various components - is given in both the Mixtures group, and also in the Legend (shown in the Graphics window).