Ricerc@Sapienza

In 2015, Sapienza University funded the acquisition of a multifunctional system SAXS/GISAXS/GIWAXS (Small/Grazing Incidence Small/Wide Angle X-Ray Scattering). The proposal was only partially financed; then, this project aims at completing the instrumentation with parts of the original project not implemented for reduction of funds.
The SAXSLab Sapienza allows for the structural characterization of condensed matter, both solid and soft, at the nano-scales. Although present in many research laboratories at an international level, this instrumentation is unique in terms of type and configuration within Sapienza, and in Lazio region, where a relevant part of the Italian research is localized, with the presence of important Universities, and research centers (INFN, CNR, ISS and ENEA). Importantly, it disseminates the potential of Xray scattering technique within the scientific community and small and medium enterprises and companies.
This proposal, which involves 59 researchers belonging to 5 Faculties and 13 departments, aims at the upgrade of the SAXS instruments to improve their performances and broaden their use. To this end, three accessories are identified as particularly useful:
1. A second X-ray source with Molybdenum radiation, with higher photon energy and therefore penetration capability, to be added to the present Copper source. The two sources are motorized and interchangeable;
2. A multipurpose sample holder equipped with a Peltier device for experiments at controlled temperature;
3. A thermostated low noise flow cell to measure samples with low signal-to-noise ratio;

These three accessories will allow
a) the characterization of samples that have strong absorption of Cu K alpha radiation;
b) the study of the structure of solid, liquid, gel samples as a function of temperature;
c) the increase of the signal-to-noise ratio with respect to the measurements in quartz capillary, mainly at small angle scattering, for biological systems at low concentration.