Welcome to Soft Condensed Matter

The Soft Condensed Matter Group provides the infrared (IR) and Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and, both Small and Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS and WAXS) imaging capabilities of Diamond. The Soft Condensed Matter Group comprises of four beamlines B21, B22, I22 and B23. This unique portfolio of beamlines can analyse a range of samples that include two-dimensional thin films (photovoltaics), living mammalian cells, three-dimensional matrices (metal-organic frameworks) and nano-particles in non-crystalline states. The Soft Condensed Matter Group maintains a dedicated laboratory space for our visiting users. The laboratory houses vital equipment for sample preparation and analysis such as a centrifuges, a small tissue-culture facility, spectroscopy equipment (including CD, standalone IR and UV spectroscopy, multi-angle and quasi-elastic light scattering) and the ability to work with different gases. Laboratory and offline instrumentation usage can be reserved through the User Administration System at any time throughout the operational year of Diamond. Since the start of 2017, both B21 and B23 now offer mail-in services for solution-state SAXS and CD measurements.
 
 

B21 High Throughput SAXS

B21 is a bending magnet Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) beamline primarily focused on dilute solution state systems.  

More information
Beamsize: <75 μm
Detector: Eiger 4M
Energy: 6 - 23 keV

I22 Multipurpose SAXS/WAXS

I22 is a multifunction SAXS/WAXS beamline for the physical and life sciences. Small-angle scattering provides essential information on the structure and dynamics of large molecular assemblies in low ordered environments. Working in both transmission and grazing incidence with full and microfocus beam I22 provides a working platform for studying the full range of soft matetr systems.

More information
Beamsize: 60 μm x 240 μm (Main Beam, v x h) 50 x 50 to 10 x 10 μm (Microfocus)
Detector: Pilatus P3-2M(SAXS), Pilatus P3-2M-L (WAXS)
Wavelength: 0.62 - 1.77 Å
Energy: 7 - 20 keV

B22 MIRIAM: IR Micro & Nano-Spectroscopy

MIRIAM (Multimode InfraRed Imaging And Microspectroscopy) provides a brilliant and versatile microprobe for high resolution imaging of molecular structures as well as high sensitivity vibrational spectroscopy via FTIR up to the THz range. Experiments span from biomedical applications to physical-chemical researches.

More information
Beamsize: 15 um to 3 um (~100nm resolution by AFM IR)
Detector: MCT, DLaTGS and Bolometer
Wavelength: 1 mm - 1 µm
Energy: 1 meV - 1 eV

B23 Circular Dichroism

B23 is a  life sciences, chemistry and material science beamline for investigating and observing  structural, functional and dynamic interactions in elements such as  proteins, nucleic acids, nanoparticles and chiral molecules.

More information
Beamsize: 0.5mm² to 2mm x 4mm
Detector: PMT
Wavelength: 125 - 650 nm
Energy: 2 - 10 eV

DL-SAXS

DL-SAXS is an offline SAXS instrument that compliments I22 and B21 in delivering the highest quality lab SAXS data. The Instrument will also act as a testbed for Sample Environment Development for SAXS.

More information
Beamsize: 200 micron
Detector: Eiger 2 R 1M (SAXS), Pilatus 3 R 100K (WAXS)
Wavelength: 0.71 & 1.35 Å
Energy: 9.2, 17.4 keV

Science Group Leader

Robert Rambo

Email: robert.rambo@diamond.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1235 56 7675

Latest Group Publications

Please Wait