Quantum mechanics

Computer hardware

Beam (structure)

Materials science

Chromatography

Telecommunications

Computer science

Laser

Physics

Optics

Slurry

Composite material

Chemistry

Cathode ray

Sample (material)

Electron

Drop (telecommunication)

X-ray crystallography

Diffraction

Serial communication

Journal of Synchrotron Radiation

Efficient sample delivery is an essential aspect of serial crystallography at both synchrotrons and X-ray free-electron lasers. Rastering fixed target chips through the X-ray beam is an efficient method for serial delivery from the perspectives of both sample consumption and beam time usage. Here, an approach for loading fixed targets using acoustic drop ejection is presented that does not compromise crystal quality, can reduce sample consumption by more than an order of magnitude and allows serial diffraction to be collected from a larger proportion of the crystals in the slurry.

Reducing sample consumption for serial crystallography using acoustic drop ejection