X-ray Scattering

X-ray scattering can provide useful structural data of many materials, including soft fluid films.  We have been using the Advanced Photon Source (APS) beam line at Argonne National Laboratory to gain structural information on supported lipid membranes.

Neutron Scattering

We also utilize the beam line at Los Alamos’s Lujan Center to perform neutron scattering experiments on supported lipid bilayer membranes and other thin films.

•Neutrons also interact with unpaired electrons via a magnetic dipole           

interaction.

• Neutron scattering provides information that is complementary

to other techniques

• Scattering techniques give statistical information rather than discrete “pictures”

•  Different scattering power of x-rays & neutrons highlight different atoms

• Particularly useful for locating water molecules using neutrons

• Time scales probed in dynamical experiments differ from other probes

• Correlated motions as well as individual atomic motions can be seen with neutrons

•  Low resolution data obtained with neutrons can provide “phases” for x-ray diffraction