Process of parallel sample presentation

A method of forming an array of powder samples arranged in predefined locations where all samples have a flat surface in a common plane comprising:

• (a) providing a main support having at least N perforations from a first surface of the main support to a second surface of the main support in predefined locations, where N is the number of samples in the array and N is at least 2;
• (b) providing a flat support attached to the first surface of the main support where said flat support is from about 0.01 to about 10 microns thick and is constructed of material which allows for the sufficient transmission of X-rays;
• (c) loading sample X in perforation X of the main support where X is an integer from 1 to N;
• (d) forming a flat surface of each sample where the flat surfaces are in a common plane by forcing the samples within the perforations against the flat support;
• and
• (e) retaining the samples in position within the perforations using at least one cover contacting the main support.

A method of forming an array of powder samples arranged in predefined locations where all samples have a flat surface in a common plane comprising:

• (a) providing a monolithic block defining a main support section and a flat support section, said main support section having at least N depressions providing openings in a first surface of the main support section in predefined locations, where N is the number of samples in the array and N is at least two, said depressions in the form of perforations extending from a first surface of the main support section to a second surface defined by the main support section or the flat support section;
• (b) loading sample X in depression X of the main support section where X is an integer from 1 to N;
• (c) forming a flat surface of each sample where the flat surfaces are in a common plane by forcing the samples within the depressions against the flat support section;
• (d) retaining the samples in position within the depressions using at least one cover;
• and
• (e) sufficiently exposing the flat surfaces of the samples in the predefined locations for testing over a common plane by limiting the thickness of the flat support section.

A method of forming an array of powder samples arranged in redefined locations where all samples have a flat surface in a common plane comprising:

• (a) providing a main support having at least N depressions in a first surface of the main support in predefined locations and at least N perforations from a first surface of the main support to a second surface of the main support, where N is the number of samples in the array and N is at least two;
• (b) providing a second support temporarily attached to the first surface of the main support, said second support having at least N perforations from a first surface of the second support to a second surface of the second support wherein the perforations of the second support may be alternately aligned with the perforations of the main support or the depressions of the main support;
• (c) aligning the perforations of the second support with the depressions of the main support and loading sample X through perforation X of the second support and into depression X of the main support where X is an integer from 1 to N;
• (d) forming a flat surface of each sample where the flat surfaces are in a common plane by sliding the second support relative to the main support to align the perforations of the second support with the perforations of the main support;
• and
• (e) exposing the flat surfaces of the samples in the predefined regions where the flat surfaces are all in the common plane by removing the second support.