X-Ray diffraction Laboratory is located only at Hyderabad and is equipped with

(i)  Siefert Id 3000- X-ray generator and Siemens microprocessor controlled D-500 Diffractometer system using crystal monochromated characteristic CuK(α) radiation and LA 100 recorder, for powder diffraction studies

(ii) Gandolfi diffraction camera (dia. 114.6mm & 57.3mm) for identification of the fine-grained minerals of the order of 200 micron size,

(iii) Debye Scherrer powder camera (dia. 114.6mm & 57.3mm) for undertaking investigations of very little amount of inorganic compounds/mineral samples; and

(iv) Buerger Precession instrument for single crystal diffraction studies.

The laboratory is engaged in carrying out studies, which include:

characterization of uranium, thorium, rare earth and rare metal bearing mineral phases and secondary uranium minerals;

identification of metamict minerals;

investigations on clay minerals;

triclinicity and structural state of potash feldspars and plagioclase separated from igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks;

characterization of phases in solid solution series;

determination of cell-size for phases belonging to cubic, tetragonal, and monoclinic systems;

qualitative mineralogical studies of rocks of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary origins;

quantitative determination of two and three phases present in mixtures

investigations on fuel-grade materials and synthetic inorganic compounds from NFC.