X9

X9 is an x-ray synchrotron beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), Brookhaven National Lab (BNL). It is a joint beamline between the NSLS and the Center for Functional Nanomaterials. The instrument is optimized for doing Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Grazing-Incidence Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (GISAXS), as well as wide-angle Grazing-Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GID/GIXD/GIWAXS).

Capabilities

X9 hutch layout

X9 can perform a variety of x-ray scattering experiments:

• SAXS and WAXS on powders or solutions in capillaries.
• SAXS/WAXS (simultaneous) on proteins or other macromolecules in solution, using a full-vacuum path and a flow-through cell (for robust background subtraction).
• GISAXS and GIWAXS on thin films.

Performance

Energy range

Can perform experiments from 6 keV to 20 keV.

q-range

The instrument can capture data on both a SAXS and WAXS detector (either simultaneously or sequentially). The q-range depends on x-ray energy and the sample-detector distance. For SAXS, one can typically obtain (e.g. for 13.5 keV):

• 5.4 m: 0.002 Å⁻¹ to 0.1 Å⁻¹ (314 nm to 6.3 nm)
• 4.1 m: 0.005 Å⁻¹ to 0.2 Å⁻¹ (125 nm to 3.5 nm)
• 3.0 m: 0.004 Å⁻¹ to 0.2 Å⁻¹ (157 nm to 3.5 nm)
• 2.0 m: 0.010 Å⁻¹ to 0.4 Å⁻¹ (63 nm to 1.6 nm)
• 1.5 m: 0.011 Å⁻¹ to 0.45 Å⁻¹ (63 nm to 1.4 nm)

For WAXS, standard configurations yields approximately (for 13.5 keV):

• 0.235 m (sample inside chamber): 0.13 Å⁻¹ to 4.1 Å⁻¹ (4.8 nm to 0.15 nm)
• ~0.4 m (sample upstream of chamber): 0.15 Å⁻¹ to 2.1 Å⁻¹ (4.2 nm to 0.3 nm)

Resolution

• SAXS: Pixel-limited resolution at 5 m (sample-detector) is ~0.0017°, or 0.0002 Å⁻¹ (at ~13.5 keV).
• WAXS: Pixel-limited resolution is ~0.04°, or 0.0046 Å⁻¹ (at ~13.5 keV). Actual resolution depends on experimental setup and sample size.

Flux

• At 10 keV, flux capture by mirrors is ~2×10¹² ph/s/0.01%bw
• At 10 keV, flux at sample is ~5×10¹¹ ph/s/0.01%bw
• At 10 keV, microfocused (10 um), flux at sample is ~2×10¹¹ ph/s/0.01%bw

Beam Size

• TSAXS: Typical beam size is ~150 µm horizontal and ~100 µm vertical.
• GISAXS: Typical beam size is ~120 µm horizontal and ~50 µm vertical.
• Microbeam: Beam can be focused to ~15 µm (horizontal and vertical).

Safety

Users must complete NSLS safety training, as well as receive beamline-specific training:

• X9 BLOSA form

See Also

• X9 NSLS Official Site