Revealing the local atomic arrangement in three famous minerals showing modulated structures

In this experiment we would like to explore the link between the local/medium atomic arrangement and the average structure in crystals showing modulations. In particular, the aim is to test the Pair Distribution Function (PDF) technique in the investigation of these complex structures. Three minerals were chosen taking into account their well-known modulated structures: quartz, natrite (sodium carbonate) and calaverite (AuTe2) will be measured using X-ray powder diffraction, collecting total scattering data.