Vertical transmission diffraction analysis

1. A method for performing a transmission of diffraction analysis of one or more analytes on a support having a support surface, wherein the method comprises:

providing one or more analytes on a support having a support surface;

providing a source of radiation vertically above or vertically below said support surface;

providing a detector vertically below or vertically above said support surface such that said support surface is positioned between said source of radiation and said detector;

irradiating each of said analytes with a radiation beam generated by the source of radiation, said radiation beam being directed onto said analyte, thereby creating a pattern of diffracted radiation; and

detecting said diffracted radiation with said detector after said diffracted radiation passes through the analyte, and determining the diffraction pattern of the analyte,

wherein said irradiation is performed such that the radiation beam strikes the analyte in a substantially vertical and substantially perpendicular direction in relation to the support surface.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support surface is essentially horizontal.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of analytes is placed on the support.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of analytes is placed on the support, and wherein during the analysis the support is moved with respect to the beam automatically so that successively each of the analytes is radiated by said beam.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of analytes is placed on the support, and wherein the plurality of analytes is placed in an array.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of analytes is placed on the support, and wherein the plurality of analytes is placed in a 2-dimensional array.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more analytes are placed on the support in the absence of any additional attachment.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises for each analyte a container containing the analytes, and wherein each container is translucent for the radiation.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises for each analyte a container containing the analyte, and wherein each container is translucent for the radiation, and wherein multiple containers are provided in said support.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises for each analyte a container containing the analyte, and wherein each container is translucent for the radiation, and wherein multiple containers are provided in said support, and wherein each container is filled with a different analyte.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises for each analyte a container containing the analyte, and wherein each container is translucent for the radiation, and wherein the container is open at the top during the analysis.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises for each analyte a container containing the analyte, and wherein each container is translucent for the radiation, and wherein the containers are arranged in an array.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises for each analyte a container continuing the analyte, and wherein each container is translucent for the radiation, and wherein the analyte is crystallised in said container prior to the diffraction analysis.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises for each analyte a container containing the analyte, and wherein each container is translucent for the radiation, and wherein the support is a plate having a plurality of wells each forming a container for receiving an analyte.

15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises for each analyte a container containing the analyte, and wherein each container is translucent for the radiation, and wherein the one or more containers are sealed during the analysis.

16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support is translucent for the radiation.

17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support is translucent for visual light.

18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method includes the step of determining the background diffraction pattern of the support and the step of correcting the measured pattern for this background diffraction pattern.

19. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric conditions are controlled.

20. The method according to claim 1 , wherein heat transfer means are used for controlling the temperature of the analyte for effecting phase change of the analyte or drying of the analyte during the transmission diffraction analysis.

21. The method according to claim 1 , wherein powder diffraction patterns of the one or more analytes are detected and recorded.

22. The method according to claim 1 , wherein phase behaviour of the one or more analytes is screened.

23. The method according to claim 1 , wherein polymorphism of the one or more analytes is detected.

24. An apparatus for performing a transmission diffraction analysis of an analyte, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a source of radiation being adapted to direct a radiation beam to the analyte;

a support for supporting the analyte, which support is translucent to the radiation; and

a detector for detection of the radiation passed through the analyte,

wherein the source of radiation, the support for the analyte and the detector are positioned such that the radiation beam generated by the source of radiation can strike the analyte in a substantially vertical and substantially perpendicular direction and further wherein said source of radiation is vertically above or vertically below said support and said detector is vertically below or vertically above said support, said support being disposed between said source of radiation and said detector.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein the support is designed for supporting a plurality of analytes.