Difference between revisions of "SAXS"

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[[Image:Standard-AgBH-gisaxs th000 spot3 60sec SAXS.png|thumb|200px|right|Example scattering pattern (for [[Material:Silver behenate|AgBH]]). The [[Scattering_features#Rings|rings]] of scattering at well-defined angles arise from scattering off of the lamellar order in the sample.]]
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[[Image:Standard-AgBH-gisaxs th000 spot3 60sec SAXS.png|thumb|200px|right|Example SAXS pattern (for [[Material:Silver behenate|AgBH]]). The [[Scattering_features#Rings|rings]] of scattering at well-defined angles arise from scattering off of the lamellar order in the sample.]]
  
 
'''Small-angle x-ray scattering''' ('''SAXS''') is a method to analyze the nanoscale structure of a sample by measuring the intensity of [[x-ray]]s [[scattering|scattered]] as a function of angle.
 
'''Small-angle x-ray scattering''' ('''SAXS''') is a method to analyze the nanoscale structure of a sample by measuring the intensity of [[x-ray]]s [[scattering|scattered]] as a function of angle.
  
 
The classic, stereotypical, application of SAXS is to study the size and shape of particles dispersed in solution (including [[BioSAXS|biological macromolecules]]). In these cases, one typically reduces the 2D area [[detector]] image into a 1D curve (I vs. [[q]]), where the slope of the curve (and/or oscillations within it) encode information about the structure. SAXS can also be used to measure ordered nanoscale systems (e.g. nanoscale [[superlattice]]s), where one observes sharp peaks in the scattering data. A variety of new techniques have been developed specifically for measurement of ordered nanostructures ([[GISAXS]], [[CD-SAXS]], [[GTSAXS]], etc.).
 
The classic, stereotypical, application of SAXS is to study the size and shape of particles dispersed in solution (including [[BioSAXS|biological macromolecules]]). In these cases, one typically reduces the 2D area [[detector]] image into a 1D curve (I vs. [[q]]), where the slope of the curve (and/or oscillations within it) encode information about the structure. SAXS can also be used to measure ordered nanoscale systems (e.g. nanoscale [[superlattice]]s), where one observes sharp peaks in the scattering data. A variety of new techniques have been developed specifically for measurement of ordered nanostructures ([[GISAXS]], [[CD-SAXS]], [[GTSAXS]], etc.).
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==Characteristics==
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===Advantages===
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* Accurate
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* Quantitative (with effort)
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* Non-destructive ([[Radiation damage|to a point]])
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* Rapid (depending on x-ray source; [[synchrotron]] vs. [[labscale]])
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* Small sample size possible ([[x-ray focusing]])
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* [[In-situ]] experiments possible
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** Can vary sample conditions, and probe structural response
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===Disadvantages===
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* Low information content: data fitting is an [[Fourier_transform#Phase_problem|ill-posed problem]], meaning that it is possible to be misled in data analysis.
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* Complex [[Tutorial:What to do with data|data analysis]].
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* Complex/expensive instrumentation.
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===Applications===
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* [[BioSAXS|Biological samples]]: proteins or other biomacromolecules in solution, [[Kratky plot|macromolecule conformation]], protein aggregation, virus assembly/clustering, etc.
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* Soft matter: polymers, colloids
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* [[Liquid crystal]]s
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* [[Lattices of nano-objects]]
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** [[Block-copolymers]]
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** Nanoscale [[superlattices]]
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* Nanocomposites, metals, minerals, etc.
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
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*** [[GTSAXS|Grazing-incidence Transmission SAXS]] ([[GTSAXS]]))
 
*** [[GTSAXS|Grazing-incidence Transmission SAXS]] ([[GTSAXS]]))
 
** Rotational SAXS ([[CD-SAXS]]), for reconstructing [[reciprocal-space]]
 
** Rotational SAXS ([[CD-SAXS]]), for reconstructing [[reciprocal-space]]
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* Small-angle [[neutron]] scattering ([[SANS]])

Latest revision as of 15:46, 11 September 2015

Example SAXS pattern (for AgBH). The rings of scattering at well-defined angles arise from scattering off of the lamellar order in the sample.

Small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) is a method to analyze the nanoscale structure of a sample by measuring the intensity of x-rays scattered as a function of angle.

The classic, stereotypical, application of SAXS is to study the size and shape of particles dispersed in solution (including biological macromolecules). In these cases, one typically reduces the 2D area detector image into a 1D curve (I vs. q), where the slope of the curve (and/or oscillations within it) encode information about the structure. SAXS can also be used to measure ordered nanoscale systems (e.g. nanoscale superlattices), where one observes sharp peaks in the scattering data. A variety of new techniques have been developed specifically for measurement of ordered nanostructures (GISAXS, CD-SAXS, GTSAXS, etc.).

Characteristics

Advantages

  • Accurate
  • Quantitative (with effort)
  • Non-destructive (to a point)
  • Rapid (depending on x-ray source; synchrotron vs. labscale)
  • Small sample size possible (x-ray focusing)
  • In-situ experiments possible
    • Can vary sample conditions, and probe structural response

Disadvantages

  • Low information content: data fitting is an ill-posed problem, meaning that it is possible to be misled in data analysis.
  • Complex data analysis.
  • Complex/expensive instrumentation.

Applications

See Also