Quokka
(small-angle neutron scattering, SANS)
A number of advanced commissioning experiments have been run on Quokka in the last 2 months. One of the most significant was a demonstration of Quokka’s capability to measure dilute protein solutions.
The data above shows reduced scattering data on solution of glucose isomerase, with fit values consistent with the existing literature on this standard sample.
Quokka’s “demountable” window titanium cells have also arrived. Shown in the photo these are designed for easy to assembly, disassembly, cleaning and can hold gel, melt, powder and liquid samples. The cells have spacers to set sample path thicknesses of 1, 2 or 4mm. A sample volume of about 0.5ml is required per mm of thickness. “Zero” path length cells are also available, where the thickness may be set by a thin gasket spacer.
Finally, August saw the installation by Mirrortron of Quokka’s spin-flipper – the last physical component of the polarization system, which completes the instrument’s project base design.