Injector for scattering measurements on fully solvated biospecies

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate delivery of microscopic, fully solvated samples is crucial for advanced X-ray scattering studies.
• Conventional Rayleigh jets face clogging issues with small sample diameters.
• Compatibility with vacuum environments is essential for many X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) and synchrotron experiments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a liquid jet injector system for delivering microscopic, fully solvated target species.
• To enable X-ray scattering studies of biological nanospecies using XFELs and synchrotrons.
• To provide a versatile solution for applications requiring precise delivery of solvated microscopic samples.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a gas dynamic virtual nozzle (GDVN) to generate liquid jets with diameters from 300 nm to 20 μm.
• Incorporated a differential pumping system for compatibility with high vacuum conditions.
• Integrated a fiber-optically coupled pump laser and a hermetically sealed microscope for in-situ diagnostics and pump-probe experiments.

Main Results:

• Successfully delivered fully solvated microscopic samples into probe beams under vacuum and ambient conditions.
• Overcame clogging issues common with conventional Rayleigh jets in the specified size range.
• Demonstrated compatibility with high vacuum systems and successful operation in multiple experimental runs at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS).

Conclusions:

• The developed liquid jet injector system effectively addresses the challenges of sample delivery for X-ray scattering.
• The GDVN technology offers a robust solution for generating stable, small-diameter liquid jets.
• The system's versatility and performance make it valuable for a range of X-ray science applications.