FAU- Nanomaterials Characterization

2013 saw the installation of one of the most unique SAXS instruments that we ever expect to make. Guided by the vision of Prof. Tobias Unruh, at FAU in Erlangen-Nueremberg, we provided a customized GANESHA SAXS/WAXS/GISAXS system in late 2013.

The system was provided with a brilliant micro-focus sealed tube source and a motorized fully movable Pilatus 300K. which are both standard for any GANESHA.

Customization 1

The first customization was that Prof. Unruh, wanted the system to measure samples in vacuum to obtain the best possible signal-to-noise ratio for most samples, but also had many applications that would never end up inside the in-vacuum sample area of the GANESHA, so we provided for 2 sample positions: one inside vacuum and one outside in air.

The  in-air sample position needed to accommodate both small and large sample environments and so a movable collimation section was constructed.

The in-vacuum sample position, which was to be used often, needed to be easily removable and re-installable, so we mounted all the hardware on a removable breadboard.

Customization 2

The second and much more involved customization was to allow for the measurement of Liquid SAXS. For this the source, optic and collimation needed to be tilted and moved  in a very accurate manner, so that any downward angle below 5 degrees could accurately be achieved.

Continuing Upgrades

In 2015, Prof. Unruh has upgraded the source with a Metaljet from Excillum, maintaining all the original functionality of the system we provided, but now benefitting from the significantly higher intensity of the Metaljet.