Designed and constructed by researchers in the MRL X-ray Facility, the new SAXS spectrometer became available to users in fall of 2000. By utilizing a high intensity x-ray source, state-of-the-art x-ray optics and detectors, 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 3-meter fully evacuated flight path (including sample chamber) and vacuum compatible motorized slits. The spectrometer has a 600 angstrom small angle resolution in the typical set up, but can be reconfigured for different resolution due to its modular design and construction.
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Front view of the SAXS instrument |
A SAXS pattern of a surfactant |
Specifications
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X-ray Source |
Fine focus (0.2 mm) Rigaku rotating anode generator |
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Wavelength |
1.54 Å |
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Monochromator |
Osmic Confocal Maxflux double focusing multilayer mirror |
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Bruker HI-STAR multiwire area
detector, 11 cm dia. active area |
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Beam Size at Sample |
~ 1 mm x 1 mm |
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Source to Sample Distance |
2 meter, variable by changing flight tubes |
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Sample to Detector Distance |
1.5 meter, variable by changing flight tubes |
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Q range (typical) |
0.01 – 0.12 (Å-1) |
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Total instrument length |
3.5 meter |
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X-ray Optics |
3 sets of motorized vaccuum slits + 2 sets of manual slits |
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Flight Paths |
Evacuated aluminum pipes |
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Sample Chamber |
In vacuum or atmosphere, with motorized x-y-z translations and rotation |
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User Interface |
Bruker SAXS software and SPEC |
