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Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) Diffractometer |
Designed and constructed by researchers
in the MRL X-ray Facility, the SAXS diffractometer first became available to users
in fall of 2000. In 2008, the system was upgraded with a high brillliance
x-ray micro-source and new optics from XENOCS which resulted in substantial
performance enhancement. The SAXS instrument provides cutting edge
capabilities for probing large lengthscale structures such as polymers,
biological macromolecules, meso- and nano-porous materials, and molecular
self-assemblies. Background scattering is minimized through the use of a
evacuated flight path and vacuum compatible motorized slits.
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Upgraded SAXS instrument with Genix x-ray microsource
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2D SAXS data collected in house. Clockwise from top left:
(1) Silver behenate (3 min exposure)
(2) Ordered mesoporous silica film (60 min exposure)
(3) Microtubule in solution (20 min exposure)
(4) Hydrated chicken leg tendon (60 min exposure)
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X-ray Source
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XENOCS Genix 50W x-ray microsource, focus size 50 micron
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Wavelength
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1.54 Å
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Monochromator
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XENOCS FOX2D multilayer optics for SAXS
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Detector
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Bruker HI-STAR multiwire area
detector, 11 cm dia. active area
1024 x 1024 16 bit image.
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Beam Size at Sample
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~ 0.8 mm x 0.8 mm
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Flux at Sample position (x-ray power: 50kV x 1mA)
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3x107 photons/sec
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Source to Sample Distance
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1.7 meter, variable by changing flight
tubes
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Sample to Detector Distance
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1.8 meter, variable by changing flight
tubes
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Q range (typical)
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0.0075 – 0.12 (Å-1)
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Total instrument length
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3.5 meter
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X-ray Optics
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3 sets of motorized vaccuum slits with newly developed scatterless blades
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Flight Paths
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Evacuated aluminum pipes
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Sample Chamber
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In air with
motorized x-y-z translations and rotation
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User Interface
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Bruker SAXS software and SPEC
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