Sources for Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction

Our sealed-tube X-ray source delivers excellent intensity with low investment and maintenance needs. Perfect for routine chemical crystallography with large and medium sized crystals.

• Choose between Mo or Cu radiation. 
• Perfect for the analysis of large and medium-sized crystals.
• Long tube lifetime as tube operates at 1/3 of the power it has been designed for.  
• Standard operation uses a flat graphite monochromator, with optional TRIUMPH monochromator for high-intensity Mo radiation.
• Water cooling minimizes heat dissipation to the surrounding air.
• Automatic tube burn‑in supports long lifetime.

The IµS 3.0 is a microfocus X-ray source designed specifically for crystallography. It has an intensity several orders of magnitude greater than sealed-tube X-ray sources, but maintains the low service requirements, to deliver efficient performance, significantly shorter measurement times and improved data quality. 

The performance of the IµS 3.0 facilitates the analysis of small and weakly diffracting crystals. 

• Choose between Ag, Mo or Cu radiation. 
• Highly stable X‑ray beam with minimal intensity decay for reproducible and reliable measurements.
• Focussing X-ray optics for highest intensity at the sample position for high-quality data. 
• Air cooling and low power consumption for efficient operation.
• Maximized uptime thanks to long tube lifetimes and high operational reliability, all backed by a 3-year warranty.
• Hermetically sealed, helium‑purged optics for high beam quality and intensity while ensuring long‑term optical stability.

The IμS DIAMOND II is a microfocus X-ray source with hybrid anode technology that sets a new standard for brilliance in microfocus technology, with intensities that outperform conventional roating anode microfocus sources. 

• Choose between Cu, Mo or Ag radiation. 
• Efficient generation of bright X‑ray beams thanks to a combination of a hybrid diamond anode and our highly advanced microfocus X-ray source technology.
• Built to last with typical tube lifetime of five years and minimal intensity decay over time.
• Anode take‑off angle optimized for crystallography to maximize brilliance. 
• Up to ten times higher intensities compared to the IµS 3.0. 
• Beam line quality focussing X-ray optics for maximized intensity at the sample position and high-quality data. 
• Instantaneous wavelength switching for flexible experimental workflows - multiple times a day - without the need for any system allignments or impact on the source lifetime. 
• Air‑cooled operation with long-term stability.
• No routine maintenance required, minimizing downtime whilst maintaining consistent high performance.

The METALJET MC liquid-metal-jet source generates highly intense beams for the most demanding crystallography and structural biology applications. 

• Ga radiation source - a beam with a similar wavelength to copper but with less absorption and high reciprocal space coverage. 
• Synchrotron-like beam that is ten times brighter than conventional in-house sources.
• Beamline-quality data to solve the structure of even weakly diffracting crystals.
• Designed to meet the ever increasing demands of modern structural biology, including protein crystallography and Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). 
• Enhanced throughput and productivity with accelerated measurement times and high-quality data. 
• High uptime and anytime access without the need for beamtime scheduling or sample transport. 

Choosing the right X‑ray wavelength source is a key decision for single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 

Because each crystal-type and application has its own demands, selecting a source is about finding the right match for your experimental needs and budget.

Silver - The New Gold Standard

Silver (Ag) radiation delivers the shortest in‑house wavelength for cleaner, higher‑resolution data. It’s increasingly the go‑to for advanced materials, quantum chemistry and battery research.

Thanks to modern high‑intensity microfocus technology, Ag now provides the brightness earlier sealed tubes couldn’t - making it a powerful alternative to Mo in many challenging applications.

Molybdenum - The Versatile Choice

Molybdenum (Mo) remains the dependable all‑rounder in small‑molecule crystallography, offering low absorption, strong scattering and efficient data collection for most routine structures.

Mo is the most widely used wavelength in published SC‑XRD work and continues to provide excellent performance across a broad range of samples.

Copper - Optimized for Light‑Atom Samples

Copper (Cu) radiation is ideal for organics, peptides, and protein crystals, delivering strong scattering for light‑element structures.

While Cu delivers excellent results for these compounds, users should remain aware of its higher absorption and potential for sample damage, especially with today’s high‑intensity sources.

Gallium - For Highly Demanding Crystallography

Like Cu, Gallium (Ga) radiation has strong interactions with light‑atom materials like proteins, MOFs, COFs, and organic compounds, whereas its slightly shorter wavelength (1.341 Å) reduces absorption and air scatter.

The result is improved data quality and cleaner results for samples that benefit from enhanced light‑atom contrast without the drawbacks of longer‑wavelength radiation.

Gallium radiation is available exclusively in our METALJET MC solution, the D8 VENTURE METALJET, for highly demanding crystallography. 

Source technology influences beam intensity, stability and overall data quality. 

• Sealed‑tube sources provide the most economical entry point for routine SC‑XRD, offering stable, reliable output for everyday structure determinations without the cost or complexity of higher‑intensity technologies.
• Microfocus sources, when tailored for crystallographic applications, provide a well‑defined, stable beam suitable for routine structure determination, with higher‑performance microfocus sources delivering increased intensity for challenging samples such as very small crystals or materials with weak diffraction.
• Diamond hybrid anode microfocus sources use diamond’s exceptional thermal conductivity - up to five times greater than copper - to ensure best possible heat dissipation. This lets the anode operate at higher power levels at the focal spot, delivering an X-ray that outperforms rotating anode intensities while maintaining lasting reliability and low performance.
• Liquid‑metal‑jet sources further boost brightness for extremely tiny or weak scatterers, delivering the brightest X‑rays available for laboratory systems for measurements that would otherwise require a synchrotron.

Need a hand deciding? 

Talk to one of our experts to determine which source and wavelength works best for your application.

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Our X-ray sources are favoured by crystallography labs worldwide. To learn more about what our customers think of our systems and technology check out our testimonials page.