Patent ID: 7242745

Claim:
An X-ray diffraction apparatus for analyzing a sample on a sample holder, the apparatus comprising: a mounting assembly that maintains the sample holder along a horizontal axis, such that one side of the sample holder is located to a first side of the axis and an opposite side of the sample holder is located to a second side of the axis; an X-ray source that directs X-ray energy toward the sample holder; an X-ray detector that detects X-ray energy diffracted from the sample; and a movement assembly that allows movement of one of the source and detector along a predetermined path between a first position, in which the source and detector are on same side of the horizontal axis, and a second position, in which the source and detector are on opposite sides of the horizontal axis from each other and that prevents any collisions between the source, the detector and any other mechanical parts connected thereto from occurring during the movement.