A Monte Carlo estimate of crystallite-size and microstrain distribution functions from X-ray line broadening

A method of X-ray line-broadening analysis is presented whereby the coherence length and microstrain contributions can be calculated using a Monte Carlo interference-function-fitting algorithm. The method is based on the 'column-like' crystal model and can be applied to both single and multiple-order reflections. Examples on simulated diffraction peaks, deformed face-centred-cubic palladium powder and heavily textured deformed body-centred-cubic low-carbon-steel sheets are presented and comparisons are made with currently applied methods. (orig.)