Capillaries
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Capillaries
An experiment specific spreadsheet, to be used as sample list, will be sent out to you prior to your scheduled beamtime.
Use the following spreadsheet as an example for capillaries. → Example Document
Prepare one google document for ALL samples! Prepare single sheets within the document for each holder!
- Enter all the key information in the google spreadsheet. It will help beamline staff avoid duplication, errors and misunderstandings. The spreadsheets aim to be a single, comprehensive location of the critical information we need to run each sample.
- Samples in the order listed (from top to bottom). Lines with the sample name field left empty are skipped by the beamline, so that you can have gaps in the list that way.
- Sample name for capillary as on label
- Information on how many shots per sample (and positions in capillary)
- Include priorities of samples in sample list
- Exposure time (seconds)
- Every google doc must have same name as label (colour?) on capillary holder - one google doc for each holder
- Note the estimated run time for each plate and design your experiment accordingly, especially in regard to the amount of samples! This estimate does NOT include sample / plate changeover and mounting times!
Example below or download Example Spreadsheet here: → Example Document
For liquid samples, please send us prefilled and labeled capillaries.
Contact the beamline team (contact details can be found here) to arrange pick up of capillary holders and drop off of samples in capillaries mounted in the provided holders.
Use the following guidelines for labeling and sample preparation:
Capillary dimensions
By using our standard capillary holders, the size of capillaries we can used is limited to a maximum diameter of 1.5 mm! We recommend using only 1.0 or 1.5 mm capillaries.
Sample preparation
- Prefill the capillaries and provide them sealed and labeled.
- mount your capillaries in the holder we provide you, in the order you want them analysed matching your spreadsheet. We are likely to use the position of the sample in the holder its primary identification. We might use labels on individual capillaries as a backup identifier, and may not use individual labels at all unless we need to.
- We recommend sealing capillaries. Use hotglue guns, BluTack, epoxy or any other non-leaking method of your choice.
- For temperature controlled samples preparation, please refer to the Important notes and exceptions section.
Labeling/Shipping
- Label each capillary with printed labels (labelmaker STRONGLY preferred!)
- Labels MUST be the same, and in the same order as in the google spreadsheet (according to position in capillary holder)
- Use simple labels (numbers, letters), no complicated sample descriptions
- We cannot guarantee to run poorly labelled capillaries supplied in bottles. Such cases could risk not being run
- Attach a photo for each capillary / a group of capillaries with visible labels, region of interest and description of preferred sample scans. Ideally, provide the preferred distance (millimeters) from the tip of the capillary for the position of interest of partially filled capillaries. Mark sample position in image and (if possible) on capillary.
Important notes and exceptions
On a case by case basis, there might be exceptions to the way we can run specific sample mounts and setups. This can include running capillary samples at high temperatures. This requires mounting samples in a special heating mount on site just prior to running the samples. There are 2 modes to run these samples with specific requirements in sample preparation:
- Capillary fully inserted in brass heating/cooling block = Capillary MUST be minimum HALF FILLED!
- Capillary sticking out of brass block (we tape over the bottom of the block so tip sits out in the analysis slot). SAXS shot through the bottom of the capillary = Capillary much be filled from the bottom for ~10 mm length.
We will run either mode 1 or 2, so the decision on which mode to run MUST be placed beforehand, there will be no combination of both!
Exceptions can also include running samples with specific sample preparation that needs to be freshly done before the measurement. Please inquire about these opportunities and arrange these ahead of your beamtime in conversation with the beamline team! Contact information can be found here.