A simple diffractometer heating stage

Abstract
The construction is described of a heating stage for examining oriented clay specimens in a Philips' diffractometer. The stage, which is simple and cheap to make, is interchangeable with standard specimen holders, operates over the range 20—265°C and does not require the diffractometer to be specially modified. The maximum temperature attained at the surface of the specimen collapses freely-expanding Mgsaturatcd vermiculite and prevents re-expansion of layer silicate minerals once they have been collapsed.