Advanced Photon Source

A U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science,
Office of Basic Energy Sciences national synchrotron x-ray research facility

USAXS Sample Holders

The USAXS instrument can accept a variety of relatively large and complex sample holders. The sample-to-analyzer crystal distance can be relatively large without negative influence on the measured data. Therefore it is possible to mount complicated instrumentation in place of the sample. We provide a couple basic types of sample holders for solids and liquids, as shown. For other sample holders and apparatus, it is best to contact the instrument scientist.

Single use liquid sample holders - we have procured number of silicone isulators from Grace bio-labs which can be combined with two ~125micron thick glass microscopy cover slips to create single use liqid containers. We have various sizes and designs (JTR20-A2-1.0, JTR13R-A2-1.0 and JTR8R-A2-1.0), all 1mm thick, and also sheet material (JTR-SA2-1.0), so custom containers can be made. Due to use of glasscover slips these cells need to be used at higher X-ray energies (above 10-11 keV). Alternatively, these cells can be used with kapton sheets as window material. Minimum sample volume of the smallest container is 50 micro litres (8mm diameter opening, 1mm thick).

APS equipment pool has Linkam THM600 heating and freezing stage which can be loaned from this pool on request. If you would like to use this stage for you rexperiment, please, contact instrument scientist ASAP so the stage can be booked well ahead. The stage is provided on first-come first-served basis. The sample size appropriate for this stage is approximately 0.5mm thick and 15 mm in diameter, but smaller dimensions can be accomodated. For details on the stage, please see manufacturer's web site.

USAXS sample holders

multiposition holder for solid samples	generic mounting plate	container for liquid samples