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Choosing a diffractometer - navigating a minefield of technology and jargon

On average, laboratories look to replace their diffractometers every ten years due to new technology becoming available, research taking a new direction or the need to replace aging parts. Starting your own research group - or setting up a central facilities laboratory - often requires a diffractometer that will ensure that your highest quality publications are supported with the gold standard of analytical techniques: a single-crystal X-ray structure.

[Jargon] Commonly used X-ray detector jargon.

Purchasing a new X-ray diffraction system can be a time-consuming and difficult process, where the user needs to rapidly become an expert in the latest technology. Since this is a decision only made infrequently, the task can be daunting, especially with all the jargon associated with the technology.

Common but significant concerns during the purchase of a system are to ensure that (1) your investment will meet your changing research requirements over the course of the next ten or more years, and (2) you have a reliable system that will not require significant maintenance downtime or costs.

Rigaku understands these issues and has a solution that addresses these concerns. As there is no precise way to know which direction your research will take, why not have:

  • one source capable of producing two wavelengths
  • a high-flux source for even the most challenging small molecule or protein samples
  • the latest technology HPAD detector
  • a fully integrated system in a compact cabinet controlled by one user-friendly, powerful software program
[Ready for anything]
[XtaLAB]

In straightforward terms, the XtaLAB Synergy-DW diffractometer combines the increased flux of a rotating anode source with the flexibility of two different wavelengths, making it ideal for laboratories exploring a wide range of crystallographic research interests. The system is based on Rigaku's proven, low-maintenance MicroMax-007 HF microfocus rotating anode. The target is constructed with two different source materials (Cu and Mo, for example) and is coupled with an auto-switching dual-wavelength optic, meaning that you can select between copper and molybdenum X-ray radiation at the click of a button. The XtaLAB Synergy-DW offers up to 30x higher flux compared to the standard sealed tube sources, and utilizing only one generator means overall maintenance is reduced. Rounding out the XtaLAB Synergy-DW configuration is Rigaku's fast and efficient four-circle kappa goniometer, which is compatible with HPAD detectors, including the HyPix-6000HE.

At Rigaku, we like to refer to the XtaLAB Synergy-DW as the 'Swiss Army Knife' of diffractometers, as it is possible to gain high-quality data on a range of samples, from MOFs to macromolecules. No matter where your research leads you, this system will be ready.

One of the best ways to evaluate a system is to actually collect data on it to see how it performs on typical samples from your research lab. It is all too easy to become lost in the technical specifications and numbers of component parts when the data should speak for itself. Since we believe so emphatically in the superior performance of our systems, we welcome you to visit one of our application laboratories around the world for a demonstration using your own samples.

 
8 December 2017