Small Angle X-Ray Scattering

Instrumentation

Molecular Metrology Pin Hole Camera with Osmic microfocus source and parallel beam optic, temperature controlled specimen holder (5C-300C), shear cell, liquid cell, multi-wire area detector (click here to learn more about the instrument)

* The Molecular Metrology SAXS was purchased with the generous support of the National Science Foundation (DMR #0315367)

Description

SAXS uses Cu Ka X-ray scattering at very small angles to probe structure in zones of electron density contrast with sizes in the range of 1nm to 100nm. Such structures can include particulate systems, multi-phase systems, pore structures, emulsions, biological and cellular structures and others. Information about size, shape, dispersity, periodicity, interphase boundary area and solution properites can be obtained. Specimens may be solids, films, powders, liguids, gels, crystalline or amorphous. Applications in polymers and biological samples are abundant and well known.

Rates

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Typical Applications

Structure in polymers, polymer blends, solutions, copolymer
Biological membrane structures
Structure of catalysts, xerogels, functionalized silica, coal and other porous materials
Nano precipitate size and dispersity in alloys

Sample Requirements

Solids and films must be thin enough to be X-ray transparent and thick enough to present adequate sample volume in transmission. Estimates of nominal thickness are 1-2 mm for polymers and biological samples, 0.3 - 0.8 mm for ceramics, 0.05 - 0.2 mm for metals and alloys, 1 mm for water solutions and 1.5-2 mm for organic solvent solutions. The area required is as small as 1 mm2. The beam cross section is approximately 0.8 mm diameter.