Successful DGK PhD Course at MPI-FKF: Focus on Rietveld and PDF Analysis
From March 31 to April 4, 2025, the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research (MPI-FKF) in Stuttgart hosted the DGK PhD student course on Rietveld and Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis. With over 100 participants from around the world, the workshop was a resounding success. Organized in collaboration with the Universities of Tübingen and Stuttgart and the Teaching Committee of the German Crystallographic Society (DGK), the event offered a unique blend of theory and hands-on training.
At the heart of the course were advanced methods of structural analysis crucial to a wide range of modern research areas—from battery materials and pharmaceutical compounds to catalysts, ceramics, paints, and detergents. Participants gained in-depth knowledge of both Rietveld refinement and PDF techniques through lectures and practical sessions.
“The goal was to enable participants to independently carry out crystal structure determination and Rietveld refinements,” the Prof. Dinnebier explained. “This includes quantitative phase analysis, microstructure determination, and application of PDF analysis to nanocrystalline materials.”
A particular highlight was the international character of the course, with attendees joining from Brazil, South Africa, the United States, Australia, and many other countries. “There are very few courses in the world that offer this kind of training, so the demand is enormous,” said the organizers. Since its development in 1969, the Rietveld method has evolved exponentially. This workshop reflects those advancements and plays a key role in fostering the next generation of crystallographers and materials scientists.
