Scattering and diffraction

The SAXSpoint is the latest generation point collimated benchtop SAXS instrument from Anton Paar, which takes advantage of recent advances in both X-ray tube and detector technologies to give both an order of magnitude increase in intensity and an order of magnitude reduction in minimum q. In addition to the capabilities of the SAXSess, the SAXSpoint makes possible benchtop experiments - such as kinetics and grazing incidence SAXS - that were previously only available on synchrotron SAXS lines.

The Malvern Zetasizer can measure particle sizes from sub-nanometer to the micrometer range using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS).  The Zetasizer can also measure particle zeta potentials using Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS).  The Zetasizer is optimised for ease of use and rapid measurements, and is usually the first instrument most users should start with for particle characterisation in solution.

The Malvern NS300 can measure particles sizes, distributions, and concentrations using the Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) technique.  Depending on the sample, the NS300 is optimised for measuring particle sizes in the nanometer size range.  It is fit with a low volume flow cell that allows for minimisation of sample volumes but maximisation of signal to noise.  It has the option of either a red (642 nm) or blue (488 nm) laser.

The Particle Metrix Zetaview is our latest Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) instrument for measuring particle size, distributions, and concentrations.  It has the option of four lasers (405 nm, 488 nm, 530 nm, and 640 nm) and associated fluorescence filters. In addition, the Zetaview has the ability to measure zeta potentials and is optimised for the rapid processing of a large number of samples in a short amount of time.

Our partners at ANSTO operate two specialised small-angle X-ray scattering beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron (SAXS/WAXS and BioSAXS) covering complementary size ranges and sample requirements. We can provide advice on their suitability for your experiment and how to access them.

Neutrons scatter in a manner analogous to X-rays but with very different elemental contrasts (which can be manipulated by changing isotopes, e.g., deuteration), making them highly complementary. Our partners at ANSTO operate two small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and one ultra-small angle neutron scattering (USANS) instruments at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, covering particle analysis over four orders of magnitude in size (1 nm to 10 µm) under a range of environmental conditions. We can provide advice on their suitability for your scientific problems and how to access them.

This high-performance system has a powerful microfocus rotating anode X-ray generator providing either copper or silver radiation, and two end stations that are tailored to study small molecules and proteins.

The Rigaku Oxford Diffraction SuperNova provides a choice of a copper or a molybdenum X-ray source, and is equipped with a large Atlas CCD area detector mounted on a four circle goniometer. The shorter wavelength molybdenum source allows higher resolution and reduces absorption effects. The longer wavelength copper source is much more intense and facilitates absolute structure determinations for light atom structures. The instrument is equipped with an Oxford Cryosystems Cyrostream 700 Plus liquid nitrogen based cryosystem for low temperature data collections.

This instrument has an Incoatec IµS 2.5 X-ray source, equipped with a D85 four circle kappa goniometer, state-of-the-art Incoatec Quazar multilayer optics, and an Apex II CCD area detector. The instrument is equipped with an Oxford Cryosystems Cyrostream 700 Plus liquid nitrogen based cryosystem, enabling data collection from 80-500K.

The following sample environments are offered:

• Data collections can be undertaken at temperatures between 80 K and 500 K with Oxford Cryosystems Cyrostream 700 Plus liquid nitrogen low temperature data collection systems.
• Highly volatile samples are routinely mounted at dry ice temperatures. Mounting at lower temperatures is facilitated by an X-Temp2 liquid nitrogen based cryostat.
• A range of diamond anvil cells offering standard, wide-aperture, and low temperature capabilities for data collection at high pressures of up to 20 GPa (197,385 times Earth’s atmospheric pressure at sea level).

Synchrotron X-rays are much more intense than in-house sources, allowing much smaller crystals to be measured much more quickly. Our partners at ANSTO operate four single-crystal X-ray diffraction beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron: MX1 (microfocus, for extremely small molecular and materials crystals), MX2 and MX3 (for proteins and other macromolecules), and ADS (for demanding samples and unconventional experiments, e.g., diffuse scattering). We can provide advice on their suitability for your experiment and how to access them.

Neutrons diffract in a manner analogous to X-rays but with very different elemental contrasts, making them highly complementary. Single-crystal neutron diffraction is particularly sensitive to light elements (e.g., hydrogen) in the presence of heavier ones. Our partners at ANSTO operate a dedicated single-crystal neutron diffractometer and several other instruments suitable for certain types of single-crystal experiment, at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, capable of measuring samples down to ~0.1 mm dimensions under a range of environmental conditions. We can provide advice on their suitability for your scientific problems and how to access them.

The Stadi P is the most advanced laboratory powder diffractometer available. Configured with molybdenum or copper X-ray sources, this instrument has two beamlines equipped with accessories to control sample temperature from 12 K to 1000°C:

• Transmission (Debye-Scherrer) geometry for capillary samples, with Oxford Cryosystems Cryostream (80–500 K) and FMB Oxford hot air blower (to 1000°C)
• Flat-plate (Bragg-Brentano) geometry with Oxford Cryosystems PheniX (to 12 K)

This multipurpose Bragg-Brentano (flat plate) X-ray diffractometer is ideal for routine powder diffraction measurements. It is equipped with a 48-capacity robot sample changer, a copper X-ray source and has automatic alignment and component recognition. Its advanced 2D photon-counting XSPA-400 detector has a narrow 340 eV energy resolution that eliminates most fluorescence problems.

Equipped with a robot sample changer, and configured with a copper X-ray source and Bragg-Brentano geometry, this instrument is ideal for routine powder diffraction measurements.

This instrument, configured with a copper X-ray source and Bragg-Brentano geometry, is equipped with two high temperature stages:

• Anton Paar XRK900 vacuum furnace, capable of 900 °C and 10 bar, with a rotating sample holder. This furnace usually operates under a rough vacuum.
• Anton Paar HTK2000N vacuum furnace, capable of 2000 °C, with a strip heater.

This instrument also has an Open Eulerian Cradle that can be used to perform either X-ray reflectometry (XRR) or residual stress measurements. X-ray reflectometry measurements probe the vertical depth and distribution of thin films.  The horizontal geometry of this instrument allows measurement of both solid-air and liquid-air interfaces.  This has applications to thin film technologies such as catalytic interfaces, surfactant layers, adsorbed polymer layers, and biological membranes.

This instrument also has an Open Eulerian Cradle that can be used to perform either X-ray reflectometry (XRR) or residual stress measurements:

• X-ray reflectometry measurements probe the vertical depth and distribution of thin films.  The horizontal geometry of this instrument allows measurement of both solid-air and liquid-air interfaces.  This has applications to thin film technologies such as catalytic interfaces, surfactant layers, adsorbed polymer layers, and biological membranes.
• By measuring lattice spacings in different sample orientations, X-ray diffraction can be used to determine the tensile and compressive residual stresses in polycrystalline materials. Residual stresses may be induced by machining, thermal treatment or deformation. This is a near-surface technique (depth to a few μm) and allows for depth profiling.

Located in the Australian Technology Park, the GBA Mini-Materials Analyser diffractometer is optimised collection on clays and similar materials. The system has a Cu sealed tube source, and a fast MtriX Multi-strip solid state detector. The system is also equipped with an Anton Paar CHC+ humidity chamber, which allows data collection between -5 to 400°C, and 5 to 95% relative humidity (10-60 °C only).

Our partners at ANSTO operate two high-intensity X-ray powder diffraction beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron (PD and ADS) capable of measuring smaller samples, at higher resolution, more quickly, over wider Q ranges (including for total-scattering analysis) and under a wider range of conditions (e.g., GPa pressures) than in-house instruments. We can provide advice on their suitability for your experiment and how to access them.

Neutrons diffract in a manner analogous to X-rays but with very different elemental contrasts, making them highly complementary. Neutron powder diffraction is particularly sensitive to light elements (e.g., lithium) in the presence of heavier ones, and particularly powerful when difficult sample environments are required (e.g., liquid-helium temperatures and high magnetic fields). Our partners at ANSTO operate two neutron powder diffractometers at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering. We can provide advice on their suitability for your scientific problems and how to access them.