Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) enables to measure structural features on length scales between 1 nm up to several hundred of nanometers by analyzing the scattering pattern at very low angles from the direct X-ray beam. The technique is used in various applications to get access to different parameters such as polymer’s molecular mass and supramolecular structure, pore’s size distribution and shapes in colloids.

Depending on the requirements on intensity and resolution, different system configurations can be used. Compact 1-dimensional SAXS systems with line focus sealed tubes coupled to 1D multilayer optics are highly efficient and cost effective solutions for isotropic samples analysis. Anisotropic samples are best characterized with 2-dimensional SAXS systems using 2 or 3 pinhole collimation and integrating 2D multilayer optics. The scale of observable features depends strongly on the quality of the beam irradiating the sample and typically a collimated or slightly focusing monochromatic beam is used to achieve high intensity at high resolutions (low scattering angles or high length scales in the real space).

FOX optics are recognized as a very efficient and cost effective solution for upgrading SAXS installations. It enables to achieve very low values of qmin (minimum scattering vector) while providing high flux to the sample and low background. Our optics are adapted to all standard set-up including rotating anodes and sealed tubes (point or line sources) installations. Moreover, Xenocs can provide a complete beam delivery system including the collimation design support in order to achieve the best upgrade for your installation.