Optics for protein crystallography
Structural analysis of proteins, viruses, nucleic acids, nucleo-proteins, ribosomes, and carbohydrates, using X-ray diffraction, is commonly referred to as protein (or macromolecular) crystallography. The needs of the macromolecular crystallographer can vary dramatically, often depending on the availability of beamline access. Rigaku generator and optics now allow the performance of a 2nd-generation beamline in a home laboratory environment.
Introduction of original Confocal Max-Flux® (CMF) optics provided a dramatic improvement for the ability of researcher to acquire high quality data sets in the home lab. The new and revolutionary VariMax™ line of optics, mated to a high brilliance Rigaku microfocus X-ray generator, provides more than twice the usable X-ray flux as compared to previous generations of multilayer optic based home lab sources. In addition to resolving cell lengths in excess of 575 Å, VariMax optics provide the ability to optimize the X-ray beam for the specific unit cell size of a crystal.
VariMax optics provide a uniform beam profile, the correct cross section, low and adjustable divergence, as well as high spectral purity. These characteristics can dramatically improve real world data quality by enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio. Adaptable to any rotating anode system, VariMax is available in Cu, Mo and Cr wavelengths.
Please contact Rigaku to request a copy of the available application notes for protein crystallography.