MEX-1 Sample Preparation

Well-considered sample preparation is an important pre-beamtime task. It has the potential to critically influence the experimental outcome and success. In summary, the small vertical beam size coupled with small but noticeable beam motion demands highly uniform samples, as sample homogeneity is directly related to obtained data quality.

Powders

Need to be made into pelletsPowdered samples are commonly prepared as pellets and sealed in kapton tape.

Optimising powdered sample concentration for either transmission of fluorescence-mode measurements with powders will help you maximise your data quality and consistency within your sample set.

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Please do not take the data in the plot below to suggest that 15 revolutions is a sufficient amount of grinding to prepare a sample for transmission. When using a mortar and pestle 15-30 minutes grinding time is recommended. A superior and less tedious solution is to use a ball mill.

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Films and coin cell batteries

These can be directly affixed to our sample holders.

Sample Holders

MEX1 uses sample holders described in the technical drawings below.

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