Data Collection FAQ

What is the current ALS schedule?

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Please contact Lindsey Doyle (ldoyle@fredhutch.org) to be added to the e-mail list

BL 5.0.1 September 30 2pm-2am
BL 5.0.2 October 21 2pm-2am
BL 5.0.1 November 19 10am-10pm
BL 5.0.2 December 10 10am-10pm

When do crystals ship out for ALS?

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Two days before data collection (i.e. if data collection is on a Thursday then crystals will ship out on Tuesday). Crystals must be loaded into the shipping dewar by 2:30 pm.

How do I shut down the home source X-rays in an emergency?

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Hit the large, red EMERGENCY button on the generator’s front panel

How do I schedule time on the home source?

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Sign up on the white boards in the X-ray suite (B3-170).

What is the wavelength of the home source?

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1.54Å

How should I reference the home source equipment for publication and/or structure deposition?

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Detectors: Saturn 944+ CCD and R-AXIS 4++ Image Plate
Generator: MicroMax – 007HF with a CuKa rotating anode
Optics: VariMax HF optics (Saturn) and VariMax HR optics (R-AXIS)

How do I ramp up/down home source X-rays?

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On the PC that controls the R-AXIS 4++: Double click on the -XRay Generator- icon. From -Instrument- pulldown menu, choose --> XGScript Tool.
To ramp Xrays up quickly (when the vacuum is stable, this is ok) – choose MM007HFCuRampUpfast.xgr, and hit -Run-.
To ramp Xrays up slowly (this is gentler on the system) - choose MM007HFCuRampUp.xgr , and hit -Run-.
To ramp Xrays down - choose MM007HFCuRampDown.xgr , and hit -Run-.
DO NOT EXCEED 40 kV/30 mA!

I’ve turned on the Helium Compressor, but the temperature isn’t going down

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On the PC in the X-ray enclosure, go to the AniWin window. Click the “Now” button on the right side to get an updated temperature.
If, after clicking “Now”, the temperature really isn’t going down let Lindsey in B3-175 know.

There’s a blank image where my diffraction should be

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If there’s no shadow for the beam stop then the shutter didn’t open. Check to make sure the interlock is engaged.
If there’s a very faint shadow for the beam stop check to make sure X-rays are ramped up to 40 kV/30 mA.
If there’s a full shadow for the beam stop then your crystal didn’t diffract. Sorry.

The PC is telling me there’s not enough room to collect a dataset

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Users have not been removing their data files. Check with other user to see if they can remove any files. Let Lindsey know so she can schedule a purge.

How do I collect data at 4°C?

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Using the PC in the X-ray enclosure, go to the AnaWin toolbar. Select ChannelSetup, and then Channel Parameters. Set channel1 (nozzle) to 4°C. Don't change channel2(pre-nozzle). Leave it at its preset. CHANGE IT BACK WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED!!!!

We’re out of liquid nitrogen

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Call AirGas at 1-800-224-7427, press 2. Our customer number is 2336490.

The cold nozzle is leaking liquid N2 and/or has an irregular flow

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Turn the helium compressor off overnight (Big Green button on Helium compressor, not the smaller control box)

The R-AXIS 4++ is stuck and/or confused

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Restart CrystalClear. If this doesn't work, restart the PC. If this doesn't work, shutdown both the PC and controller (blue box behind panel, under 4++). Leave controller off for ~15minutes, so capacitors lose charge. Restart.

The Helium alarm is going off in the X-ray room

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Press the black “Silence Alarm” button on the control panel next to the Helium tanks on the back wall. Let Lindsey know.

There’s a REALLY loud alarm coming from the back closet

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That’s the cold-water alarm on the Haskris. Let Lindsey in B3-175 know (or Peter in B3-177 if Lindsey isn’t around).

I opened the sliding plastic door of the X-ray enclosure while the shutter was open and breached the interlock

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Open the front swing door of the generator (below the control panel). Use a phillips head screwdriver to open the plexiglass window. Hit the reset button.

I hit the emergency shut-down button

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Pull out the reset button and turn it clockwise. Turn the power on. Once the run lamp is on and the vacuum is stable, turn on the X-rays and dial them up.

Stoddard Lab