Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a powerful tool for characterizing complex disordered materials, including biological materials. The Bio-SANS instrument of the High Flux Isotope Reactor of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is a high-flux low-background SANS instrument that is, uniquely among SANS instruments, dedicated to serving the needs of the structural biology and biomaterials communities as an open-access user facility. Here, the technical specifications and performance of the Bio-SANS are presented. Sample environments developed to address the needs of the user program of the instrument are also presented. Further, the isotopic labeling and sample preparation capabilities available in the Bio-Deuteration Laboratory for users of the Bio-SANS and other neutron scattering instruments at ORNL are described. Finally, a brief survey of research performed using the Bio-SANS is presented, which demonstrates the breadth of the research that the instrument's user community engages in.
A series of upgrades have been undertaken at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, including the installation of a supercritical hydrogen moderator (T ' 20 K), which has boosted the flux of long-wavelength neutrons by over two orders of magnitude. In order to take advantage of the new capabilities, a 40 m-long small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) instrument has been constructed, which utilizes a mechanical velocity selector, pinhole collimation and a high-count-rate (>10 5 Hz) large-area (1 m 2 ) two-dimensional position-sensitive detector. The incident wavelength (), resolution (Á/), incident collimation and sample-to-detector distance are independently variable under computer control. The detector can be moved up to 45 cm off-axis to increase the overall Q range [<0.001 < Q = (4/)sin < 1 Å À1 , where 2 is the angle of scatter]. The design and characteristics of this instrument are described, along with examples of scattering data to illustrate the performance. research papers J. Appl. Cryst. (2012). 45, 990-998 George D. Wignall et al. Updates to GP SANS instrument at ORNL 997
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.