Beamline phone numbers:
+44 (0) 1235 77 8627
+44 (0) 1235 77 8640
Principal Beamline Scientist:
Nathan Cowieson
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 567 504
E-mail: nathan.cowieson@diamond.ac.uk
B21 is a dedicated solution state Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) beam line that can accommodate a wide variety of aqueous-based and some limited organic solvent-based samples. B21 utilises a bending magnet source and delivers ~3 x 10^12 photons/sec directly to the sample.
The photons are distributed over a large 0.8 x 2 mm cross-section which is particularly helpful in minimising radiation damage while enhancing the signal of the particles. Our detector is currently configured to measure a scattering vector (q) range from 0.0032 to 0.38 Å-1.
SAXS time is offered through an application process via our users office.
Our end-station can be configured for full-automation from a 96-well plate, using the BIOSAXS robot (designed by the EMBL in Grenoble). However, we do offer Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) coupled SAXS with either Superdex or Shodex SEC columns controlled by an Agilent HPLC. SAXS samples are measured through a temperature controlled capillary.
SHIPPING
Samples should be shipped with the following information. A sheet of paper with a sample list (see shipping form above) and please include the following:
Name of Local Contact
Diamond Visit ID
Date of Visit
Name of Experimenter
Name of Home Institution
We highly recommend for samples on wet-ice that all samples be placed in a zip-lock bag. For samples on dry ice, the bag should be wrapped in paper-towels and taped.
Please address samples to:
Name of Local Contact and B21
Diamond Light Source Limited, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
Copyright © 2020 Diamond Light Source
Diamond Light Source Ltd
Diamond House
Harwell Science & Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE
Soft Condensed Matter - Small Angle Scattering
Macromolecular
Soft Condensed 
Imaging and
Biological
Magnetic
Structures and
Crystallography 
Spectroscopy 
Rg-based dimensionless Kratky plot of SEC purified BSA (red) versus unpurified (black)
SAXS-directed MD modelling of an RNA