Open AccessThe Single Particles, Clusters and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography instrument of the European XFEL: initial installation
Author(s) -
Mancuso Adrian P.,
Aquila Andrew,
Batchelor Lewis,
Bean Richard J.,
Bielecki Johan,
Borchers Gan,
Doerner Katerina,
Giewekemeyer Klaus,
Graceffa Rita,
Kelsey Oliver D.,
Kim Yoonhee,
Kirkwood Henry J.,
Legrand Alexis,
Letrun Romain,
Manning Bradley,
Lopez Morillo Luis,
Messerschmidt Marc,
Mills Grant,
Raabe Steffen,
Reimers Nadja,
Round Adam,
Sato Tokushi,
Schulz Joachim,
Signe Takem Cedric,
Sikorski Marcin,
Stern Stephan,
Thute Prasad,
Vagovič Patrik,
Weinhausen Britta,
Tschentscher Thomas
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s1600577519003308
Subject(s) - femtosecond , instrumentation (computer programming) , laser , free electron laser , optics , lasing threshold , diffraction , physics , computer science , operating system
The European X‐ray Free‐Electron Laser (FEL) became the first operational high‐repetition‐rate hard X‐ray FEL with first lasing in May 2017. Biological structure determination has already benefitted from the unique properties and capabilities of X‐ray FELs, predominantly through the development and application of serial crystallography. The possibility of now performing such experiments at data rates more than an order of magnitude greater than previous X‐ray FELs enables not only a higher rate of discovery but also new classes of experiments previously not feasible at lower data rates. One example is time‐resolved experiments requiring a higher number of time steps for interpretation, or structure determination from samples with low hit rates in conventional X‐ray FEL serial crystallography. Following first lasing at the European XFEL, initial commissioning and operation occurred at two scientific instruments, one of which is the Single Particles, Clusters and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SPB/SFX) instrument. This instrument provides a photon energy range, focal spot sizes and diagnostic tools necessary for structure determination of biological specimens. The instrumentation explicitly addresses serial crystallography and the developing single particle imaging method as well as other forward‐scattering and diffraction techniques. This paper describes the major science cases of SPB/SFX and its initial instrumentation – in particular its optical systems, available sample delivery methods, 2D detectors, supporting optical laser systems and key diagnostic components. The present capabilities of the instrument will be reviewed and a brief outlook of its future capabilities is also described.