What this workflow helps you do
Subtract a slowly varying XRD background before peak analysis while preserving real diffraction features. NotyPlot provides baseline-processing options so the corrected curve can be compared with the original rather than accepted blindly.
Use this workflow when
- Preparing an XRD pattern whose background makes weak peaks difficult to detect.
- Reducing baseline contribution before peak fitting or area-based analysis.
- Checking whether a baseline method is removing genuine broad scattering or amorphous signal.
What you need before you start
- An XRD pattern with correctly mapped angle and intensity columns.
- A visible reason for background correction rather than applying it by default.
- The original unprocessed pattern for side-by-side review.
Step-by-step workflow
- Import the XRD data and inspect the raw background across the full scan range.
- Open data preparation and enable background subtraction.
- Choose an available baseline method and inspect how it follows slowly varying background regions.
- Compare corrected and original curves around weak, broad and overlapping features.
- Adjust or reject the correction if meaningful signal is flattened, inverted or distorted.
- Continue to peak detection or fitting only after the corrected pattern remains scientifically plausible.
What to review in the result
- The baseline follows background rather than diffraction peaks.
- Broad or weak features remain visible when they should.
- No large negative artifacts are introduced by over-subtraction.
- The original pattern is retained for comparison and reporting.
Before you report or export
- Report background correction when it affects peak positions, areas or widths.
- Use the same processing rule when comparing similarly acquired samples.
- Recheck downstream FWHM and area results after changing the baseline method.
Limitations and interpretation
- Background estimation is model-dependent and can alter weak or broad features.
- Removing background does not correct instrumental broadening or Kα effects.
- No baseline algorithm can distinguish background from real broad scattering perfectly without scientific context.