A method for successively performing a powder diffraction analysis of at
least two powder samples being contained in sample holding means. Use is
made of an apparatus comprising:--a source of radiation being adapted to
direct a radiation beam to a power sample,--a detector for detecting
diffraction radiation of a powder sample,--a drive means associated with
said sample holding means for effecting a movement of an irradiated
powder sample during irradiation and detection. The method comprises the
steps of irradiating a powder sample and detecting the diffraction
radiation of the powder sample, arranging a further powder sample such
that said radiation beam is directed to said further powder sample, and
irradiating said further powder sample and detecting the diffraction
radiation of said further sample. During irradiation and detecting of
each sample the drive means effect a movement of the irradiated sample
with respect to the radiation beam for the purpose of improving particle
statistics. The sample holding means comprise a common multiple samples
holder holding said at least two powder samples. Said drive means effect,
during irradiation and detection of a sample contained in said common
multiple samples holder, a movement of said common multiple samples
holder with respect to the radiation beam.