Cu Kα₂ elimination algorithm

The existence of the Kα₂ lines in powder diffractograms has always obscured the interpretation of the diffraction patterns. Studies involving integrated intensity measurements, peak intensities and line broadening have been hampered owing to these extraneous lines. Crystal monochromators are ineffective for eliminating the Kα₂ profile. This paper presents an algorithm which practically removes the Cu Kα₂ profile. Previous procedures to remove the Kα₂ line or resolve the Kα doublet assumed the shape of the α₂ component to be identical to that of the a, component. The algorithm presented here uses the actual shape relationship between observed α₁ and α₂ components as a basis for elimination of the α₂ profile. This algorithm has been applied to an on-line computer-controlled diffractometer to produce `real time' Cu Kα₂-free diffraction patterns. The method is quite general and can be extended to remove the Kα₂ lines of other radiations.