High-Speed X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of Medicine Using OneSight Wide-Range High-Speed Detector

Significance of High-Speed X-ray Diffraction in Pharmaceuticals

High-speed X-ray diffraction is critical for characterizing crystal polymorphism in pharmaceutical compounds. Differences in crystal forms can influence drug efficacy, solubility and patent status. Applying rapid, sensitive detectors improves throughput in quality control and research.

Objectives and Overview

This application note demonstrates the use of Shimadzu’s OneSight wide-range high-speed detector on an XRD-7000 diffractometer to analyze polymorphic forms of ranitidine. The study compares measurement speed and resolution against a conventional scintillation detector, including single‐shot and step‐scan modes.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

The analysis employed the following instrumentation and conditions:

• Diffractometer: Shimadzu XRD-7000
• X-ray source: Cu target, 30 kV, 40 mA
• Monochromator: Ni filter
• Detector: OneSight wide-range high-speed semiconductor array (1000+ channels)
• Measurement range: 2θ 10–50° (step-scan) and 15–25° (one-shot)
• Scan speed: 43°/min (fast mode) vs. 2°/min for scintillation detector

The OneSight detector offers three scan modes (High Resolution, Standard, Fast) plus a One-Shot exposure mode where the goniometer remains fixed while wide-angle data are captured.

Main Results and Discussion

The diffraction patterns of pure ranitidine Forms 1 and 2 exhibited distinct peak positions, confirming clear polymorphic differentiation. In mixtures, both sets of peaks were readily identified. Compared with a conventional scintillation detector (20 min per measurement), the OneSight system completed step-scan analysis in a few minutes and one-shot measurements in 10 s versus 55 s. Overlay plots demonstrated comparable resolution while dramatically reducing acquisition time.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid polymorph screening accelerates formulation development.
• High sensitivity reduces required sample quantity and exposure time.
• One‐Shot mode enables targeted peak verification without mechanical scanning.
• Improved throughput supports QC laboratories and patent compliance testing.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Advances in detector array technology and data processing will further shrink analysis time and enhance resolution. Integration with automated sample changers and AI-driven peak identification could enable real-time polymorph monitoring in continuous manufacturing. Hybrid techniques combining XRD with spectroscopic methods may broaden characterization capabilities.

Conclusion

The OneSight wide-range high-speed detector on the XRD-7000 platform delivers significant speed improvements without sacrificing resolution in pharmaceutical polymorphism analysis. Its One-Shot mode and fast scanning options offer versatile workflows for research and QC settings.

References

• No external references were provided in the original text.