Beamline 16ID:Main Page

Life Science X-ray Scattering (LiX) beamline, 16-ID

Solution Scattering      Scanning Mapping and Tomo

General information and useful links 

The LiX beamline supports two major types of experiments: biomolecular solution scattering and microbeam (typically 5 microns) scanning mapping. It is jointly funded by NIH/NIGMS and DOE-BER, as part of the Center for BioMolecular Structure.

• beamline status
• operating schedule:
  • current cycle: 2022-1 (pdf, web)
• mail-in information (protocol, example spreadsheets, notebooks, and data files)
• beamline posters and publications
  • LiX user publication list .
  • If your publication makes use of data collected at LiX, please include this acknowledgement, and cite appropriate beamline instrumentation papers:
    • SRI2015 proceeding on the development of this beamline
    • J Synch Rad paper on the solution scattering instrumentation and software at LiX
    • J Synch Rad paper specifically on mail-in solution scattering
    • J Synch Rad paper on scanning structural mapping
  • beamline posters: 2017 Protein Society , 2019 ACA, 2020 ACA, 2021 ACA
• NSLS-II users guide
• PASS
• User Feedback Form

User training and self-help 

• solution scattering workbench (applicationsite)
  • 2018-2 cycle, 2018-3 cycle
  • 2019-1 cycle, 2019-2 cycle, 2019-3 cycle
  • 2020-1 cycle, 2020-2 cycle, 2020-3 cycle
  • 2021-1 cycle, 2021-2 cycle, 2021-3 cycle
  • 2022-1 cycle
• software
  • LiX data processing software: installation instructions and solution scattering example data
    • py4xs documentaiton
  • data analysis:
    • ATSAS and Primus (install this for workbench)
• info on in-line HPLC at the beamline
• data processing manual

Proposal Guide

LiX accepts several types of user proposals (details described here) through the NSLS-II PASS proposal system:

• General user (GU): valid for 1 year; must be submitted before the proposal deadline for each cycle; a beam time request must be submitted each cycle
• Block allocation group (BAG): jointly submitted by multiple research groups, valid for 2 years;, must be submitted before the proposal deadline for each cycle; a beam time request must be submitted each cycle
• Rapid Access (RA): valid for 1 cycle only, but can be submitted any time
  • SAXS/SANS: this is a collaboration with bioSANS at ORNL. Users can obtain both SAXS and SANS time through a single proposal. When submitted through LiX, the proposal is considered a rapid access proposal. This is not meant for you to simply get extra time. Be sure to explain how SAXS and SANS will be used synergestically.
  • Mial-in: This is mainly for solution scattering. See mail-in information under the main page
• Proprietary (PR): see the NSLS-II industrial user program page.

When submitting a proposal, the user should take into account specific details the Proposal Review Panel (PRP) may be looking for each type of the experiments that we support. When in doubt, discuss with the beamline staff.

Solution scattering

• It is of great importance to convince the PRP that you have samples that are suitable for solution scattering. You might want to include chromotograms to demonstrate sample purity.
• We have a single detector configuration for all measurements. The typical q-range is 0.006-3.2 A-1.
• When requesting rapid access time, please check our schedule to be sure there is still openings in the current cycle under the "solution" beamline configuration
• If you have never been to LiX beamline, consider attending one of our workbench training class. You will have some time to collect preliminary data on your own samples that you can include in your proposal.

Microbeam scanning

("microscope" configuration in the schedule)

• We can routinely achieve 5 micron beam size. The beam size can be relaxed easily by adjusting the CRLs. Include in the proposal your requirements for beam size and q-range.
• We typically run near 15 keV for these experiments. Justify your energy requirement if you need something different.
• Describe how you plan to mount the samples at the beamline. Discuss with beamline staff regarding available sample mounts.

General scattering

("non-microscope" configuration in the schedule)

• This configuration is typically used for viscous liquid samples using the multi-cell sample changer. Specify you required temperature range. We prefer not to go beyond 0-80 C.
• This configuration is also for users who plan to bring their own sample environment. Please check with beamline staff to be sure that your equipment can be accommodated. We are happy to develop new instrumentation with you.
• State your energy requirement. By default the beam size is ~0.4 mm.