Small Angle X-ray Scattering Laboratory

Objective

Fundamental Principles of SAXS:
SAXS makes the use of x-ray scattering toward low angle (typically less than 10 degree). Since this angular range contains information about sample's inhomogeneities (i.e., electron density difference) in size ranging from ~5 to ~150 nm, SAXS can provide structural information (i.e., size, size distribution and shape) of macromolecules of repeat distances in partially ordered systems up to ~150 nm whose dimensions are on the same order as the X-ray wavelength.

Equipment & Details

Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS)

Manufacturer : XENOCS S.A. France, Xenocs SAS - Headquarters

38360 Sassenage, France

Instrument Details :

X-ray Source: 30 Watts Cu tube with 50 KV  0.6mA current

Optics: Single reflection multilayer parabolic mirror.

Slits  : Single crystal scatter less slits ( S1, S2)

Detector: Single photon counting Hybrid pixel on-line  

detector Pilatus 300K from Dectries.

Automation: SpecFE based software to control motors slits, etc.

Data Acquisition: Foxtrot

Analysis Software: Sasfit from Synchtron Granobel.

Purchase source: H P I Services, India

Year of installation: 2015

Sample Details

The samples can be solid or liquid and they can contain solid, liquid or gaseous domains (so-called particles) of the same or another material. The applications include a wide variety of samples such as colloids, metal particles, ceramic particles, polymers, proteins and pharmaceuticals in the form of power, gel, thin film, solution, etc.

---

Assigned Technician:

Utility and Working Principle

It works on the principle of Braggs Law.

nλ=2d sinθ, where:

• λisthe wavelength of the x-ray,
• disthe spacing of the crystal layers (path difference),
• θis the incident angle (the angle between incident ray and the scatter plane), and
• nisan integer