Crystalline Solid Characterization Technology

A perfectly ordered lattice in which every molecule is in its intended lattice position is an ideal that is rarely, if ever, achieved. The other extreme is the amorphous state, in which the solid contains the greatest possible density of defects (defects in various dimensions) such that all long-range order is lost and only the short-range order imposed by its nearest neighbors remains. The ability to detect and quantify the amount of amorphous material within a highly crystalline substance is ofgreat importance during the development and subsequent manufacture of a pharmaceutical preparation. Solid-state characterization allows scientists to understand the properties of formulation and formulation components, the first step in rational formulation development.