Abstract
BL-17A is a new structural biology beamline at the Photon Factory, Japan. The high-brilliance beam, derived from the new short-gap undulator (SGU#17), allows for unique protein crystallographic experiments such as data collection from microcrystals and structural determination using softer X-rays. However, microcrystal experiments require robust beam stability during data collection and minor fluctuations could not be ignored. Initially, significant beam instability was observed at BL-17A. The causes of the beam instability were investigated and its various sources identified. Subsequently, several effective countermeasures have been implemented, and the fluctuation of the beam intensity successfully suppressed to within 1%. Here the instability reduction techniques used at BL-17A are presented.
Highlights
With advances in synchrotron radiation instrumentation, data collection using protein crystals of a few tens of micrometres in size is routinely achieved
In this article we demonstrate the instability reduction techniques we have developed through our experiences at BL17A, the protein microcrystallography beamline at the Photon Factory (PF)
We have described our investigations of X-ray beam instability at BL-17A, as well as the countermeasures we took to suppress it
Summary
With advances in synchrotron radiation instrumentation, data collection using protein crystals of a few tens of micrometres in size is routinely achieved. Even when diffractionquality crystals can be obtained, they may be very small, often less than 10 mm in one or more dimensions In this regard, protein microcrystallography beamlines using microfocus X-ray beams have been recently demonstrated to be widely useful tools. Protein microcrystallography beamlines using microfocus X-ray beams have been recently demonstrated to be widely useful tools These beamlines are routinely used for data collection from protein microcrystals of a few micrometres in size, previously thought to be unusable. The beam position is required to be stable on the order of micrometres around the sample To achieve such high stability, it is necessary to detect, analyze and promptly eliminate any causes of instability in the beam. In this article we demonstrate the instability reduction techniques we have developed through our experiences at BL17A, the protein microcrystallography beamline at the Photon Factory (PF)
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