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10:04
Flame Experiments at the Advanced Light Source: New Insights into Soot Formation Processes
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Cited by 4 •
2014
Gas sampling from laboratory-scale flames with online analysis of all species by mass spectrometry is a powerful method to investigate the complex mixture of chemical compounds occurring during combustion processes. Coupled with tunable soft ionization via synchrotron-generated vacuum-ultraviolet radiation, this technique provides isomer-resolved information and potentially fragment-free mass spectra.
10:32
Sample Preparation and Transfer Protocol for In-Vacuum Long-Wavelength Crystallography on Beamline I23 at Diamond Light Source
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Cited by 2 •
2021
Here, we present a protocol for cryogenic sample preparation and transfer of crystals into the vacuum endstation on beamline I23 at Diamond Light Source, for long-wavelength macromolecular X-ray crystallography experiments.
06:19
Fixed Target Serial Data Collection at Diamond Light Source
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Cited by 22 •
2021
We present a comprehensive guide to fixed target sample preparation, data collection, and data processing for serial synchrotron crystallography at Diamond beamline I24.
08:35
Achieving Efficient Fragment Screening at XChem Facility at Diamond Light Source
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Cited by 78 •
2021
This paper describes the complete XChem process for crystal-based fragment screening, starting from applying for access and all subsequent steps to data dissemination.
07:08
Crystallization and In Situ Room Temperature Data Collection Using the Crystallization Facility at Harwell and Beamline VMXi, Diamond Light Source
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Cited by 4 •
2024
We present a protocol for the crystallization of proteins using the crystallization facility in the Research Complex at Harwell and subsequent in situ X-ray crystallographic data collection from crystals within the plates at Diamond's Versatile Macromolecular Crystallography in situ (VMXi) beamline. We describe sample requirements, crystallization protocols, and data collection guidelines.
FAQs
Wavelength determines which chemical processes or measurements the radiation can support. A source with narrowly selected radiation can target a specific region for absorption or emission measurements, while a broad-spectrum source supplies a wider range for observation or analysis. Matching the wavelength to the intended measurement or photochemical reaction improves control and helps produce more meaningful, reproducible results.
Broad-spectrum sources provide radiation across a wider range of wavelengths, making them suitable when chemical behavior must be observed or measured over multiple regions. Narrowly selected sources concentrate radiation in a limited wavelength range, supporting more targeted spectroscopy or photochemical control. The choice depends on whether the experiment requires wavelength coverage or selective illumination.
Intensity determines how much radiation reaches the chemical system or measurement, while stability keeps that output consistent over time. Variations in either factor can affect analytical sensitivity, the extent of a photochemical transformation, or the reproducibility of repeated measurements. Controlling both conditions makes results easier to compare and helps distinguish chemical differences from changes in illumination.
Selection begins with the type of measurement, because spectroscopy may examine either absorption or emission. The source should provide radiation in the relevant wavelength region and maintain suitable intensity and stability during the measurement. A broad-spectrum option supports wider coverage, whereas a narrowly selected source can provide more targeted illumination, improving measurement control and analytical sensitivity.
In photochemical work, ultraviolet or visible radiation can initiate chemical transformations. Researchers select the wavelength and regulate intensity to provide illumination suited to the reaction being studied, then maintain stable conditions so repeated experiments receive comparable exposure. These controls help manage reaction behavior and improve reproducibility when evaluating how light drives a chemical change.
Light sources support several complementary activities, including controlled observation, quantitative measurement, and spectroscopy based on absorption or emission. They also provide the illumination needed to investigate photochemical transformations. Because wavelength, intensity, and stability influence the result, careful source selection connects the experimental purpose with the quality of the observation, measurement, or reaction outcome.