This custom-built instrument is an intermediate small angle x-ray spectrometer (SAXS) and overlaps with the ultra-small angle spectrometer. The instrument is primarily used for probing the structure of polymers, biomaterials, and nanomaterials in the lengthscale range between 10 Å – 100 Å. Both oriented and unoriented samples in the form of solid powder, liquid solution, and free-standing or supported thin films can be measured. The signal for unoriented samples is enhanced by the use of a two-dimensional x-ray detector.

Features

• X-ray source: 18 kW Rigaku rotating anode (Cu anode, wavelength = 1.54 Å)
• Monochromator: bent graphite
• Beam size at sample position: 0.8 mm x 0.8 mm
• Detector: 18 cm diameter Mar image plate detector
• Optics: 4 sets of Huber slits (two sets motorized) for setting resolution
• Flight paths: evacuated both in the incident and diffracted beam
• Goniometer: large open Huber 2-circle
• Sample stage: motorized X-Y-Z
• Automated sample changing: up to 14 x-ray capillaries with full x-y-z positioning for each sample
• Filter inserter: 3 filters and 1 shutter
• Flux: ~ 10⁷photons/second
• Typical range of lengthscale probed: 10 Å – 100 Å
• Speciment-to-detector distance: changeable between 30 cm – 80 cm
• Computer: Linux PC
• Software for data collection: SPEC
• Software for data processing: MARVIP and FIT2D