Low-background scattering x-ray diffractometer devices, systems, and methods
View Patent ↗The disclosure relates to devices for creating a low-background scattering environment proximate to the stage of an x-ray diffractometer, x-ray diffractometer systems comprising the same, and methods for collecting x-ray diffraction data.
1. A device for creating a gaseous environment proximate to an x-ray diffractometer stage, the device comprising:
a housing configured to move in an automated manner to at least a first position and a second position, wherein the housing in the first position is configured to provide access to the stage to load the stage with a sample and wherein the housing in the second position is configured to substantially enclose the stage; and
a gas flow system in flow communication with the housing and configured to flow air out of the housing to create a low-background scattering environment proximate to the stage when the housing is in the second position;
wherein the housing in the second position is configured to transmit x-ray photons from an x-ray source assembly to an x-ray detector assembly of the x-ray diffractometer.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises at least a first housing portion and a second housing portion.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein one of the first and second housing portions is configured to be coupled to a portion of the x-ray diffractometer body.
4. The device of claim 2 , wherein one of the first and second housing portions is configured to be coupled to the stage.
5. The device of claim 2 , wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are configured to be coupled to the x-ray diffractometer stage.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first housing portion and second housing portion is configured to automatically move based on movement of the stage.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to move based on movement of the stage.
8. The device of claim 2 , further comprising at least one sealing member configured to seal the first and second housing portions when the housing is in the second position.
9. The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional sealing member configured to seal the housing and a portion of the x-ray diffractometer body when the housing is in the second position.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas flow system comprises at least one inlet.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the gas flow system comprises two inlets.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the gas flow system comprises a first inlet disposed so as to introduce gas into the housing at a location above the sample on the stage, and a second inlet disposed so as to introduce gas into the housing at a location below the stage.
13. The device of claim 10 , further comprising a flow distributor in flow communication with the at least one inlet.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one inlet is disposed so as to introduce gas into the housing at a location above a sample on the stage.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas flow system comprises at least one outlet.
16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one outlet is positioned to permit gas to flow out of the housing at a location below the stage.
17. A method for collecting x-ray diffraction data from a sample, said method comprising:
automatically moving a housing to a first position wherein the housing is configured to provide access to an x-ray diffractometer stage;
loading a sample onto the x-ray diffractometer stage;
automatically moving the housing to a second position wherein the housing is configured to substantially enclose the x-ray diffractometer stage for creating a low-background scattering environment proximate to the stage;
flowing gas out of the housing in the second position to create a low-background scattering environment proximate to the stage;
transmitting x-ray photons into the housing; and
detecting x-ray photons diffracted from the sample loaded on the stage.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein loading the x-ray diffractometer stage is automated.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the method is automatically repeated at least once.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein said housing further comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion, at least one of the first and second housing portions is coupled to the stage, and automatically moving the housing comprises moving a portion of the stage.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the housing is coupled to the stage, and automatically moving the housing comprises moving the stage.
22. The method of claim 17 , wherein flowing gas out of the housing in the second position to create a low-background scattering environment proximate to the stage comprises flowing gas from a location above a sample on the stage to a location below the sample.
23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising flowing gas through a flow distributor before flowing gas from a location above the sample on the stage to a location below the sample.
24. The method of claim 17 , wherein the sample comprises a pharmaceutical compound.
25. An x-ray diffractometer system comprising:
a stage configured to receive a sample to be analyzed;
a housing configured to move in an automated manner to at least a first position and a second position, wherein the housing in the first position is configured to provide access to the stage to load the stage with a sample, and wherein the housing in the second position is configured to substantially enclose the stage and to transmit x-ray photons from an x-ray source assembly to an x-ray detector assembly of the x-ray diffractometer; and
a gas flow system in flow communication with the housing and configured to flow air out of the housing to create a low-background scattering environment proximate to the stage when the housing is in the second position.
26. The x-ray diffractometer system of claim 25 , further comprising an automated sample loading mechanism.
27. The x-ray diffractometer system of claim 25 , wherein said housing further comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion.
28. The x-ray diffractometer system of claim 27 , wherein the housing comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion, and at least one of the first and second housing portions is configured to be coupled to the stage.