XtaLAB mini II

Teach single crystal X-ray diffraction through hands-on experience

In many universities, the departmental single crystal X-ray diffractometer is considered off limits to students because of fear the instrument might be damaged by inexperienced users. The XtaLAB mini II benchtop diffractometer provides the opportunity for students to learn single crystal X-ray analysis by actually using a fully functional diffractometer. This is not a black box instrument. Rather, performing the important steps of mounting a crystal on the goniometer and physically centering the crystal in the position of the X-ray beam ensures that students learn the importance of mounting techniques and crystal selection. The simple design of the XtaLAB mini II X-ray diffractometer minimizes the possibility of students misaligning or damaging the system.

Compact size with excellent X-ray data quality

The Rigaku XtaLAB mini II is a research-grade chemical crystallography diffractometer that sits on the benchtop. No data quality compromises. Results delivered are unambiguous. X-ray source tube lifetime is extended by running a standard off-the-shelf X-ray tube at 600 W. To compensate for running at a lower power, a SHINE optic (special curved monochromator) is utilized to produce usable X-ray flux comparable to a standard X-ray diffractometer. In addition, the XtaLAB mini II is equipped with a state-of-the-art two-dimensional semiconductor detector that is characterized by extremely low background noise and high sensitivity. These detector characteristics mean that, for weakly diffracting samples, longer scan rates can be employed without the weak diffraction signals being swamped by detector noise.

Dedicated to producing publication quality single crystal X-ray structures

The chief design requirement when creating the XtaLAB mini II single crystal X-ray diffractometer was that the structures produced would be publishable in the most demanding scientific journals. The HPC X-ray detector is positioned so that the maximum 2θ value is well outside of the Acta Cryst. requirements. The software provides all the tools you need to generate publication quality data that can be used to determine 3D structures from a variety of structure analysis packages.

CrysAlis^Pro single crystal X-ray diffraction software

The XtaLAB mini II comes complete with CrysAlis^Pro, our user-inspired data collection and data processing software for single crystal analysis. Designed around an easy-to-use graphical user interface, CrysAlis^Pro can be operated under fully automatic, semi-automatic or manual control. CrysAlis^Pro combines automated crystal screening, the fastest and most accurate strategy software available, concurrent data reduction and automatic small molecule structure solution. Visual feedback is provided for each step with clear, color-coded guidance so that both novices and experts can collect high-quality data in the shortest time possible.

AutoChem: Automated single crystal structure determination software (optional)

AutoChem is an optional software package for the XtaLAB mini II and is the ultimate productivity tool for chemical crystallographers, offering fast, fully automatic X-ray structure solution and refinement during data collection. Developed in collaboration with OlexSys Ltd (Durham University, UK), AutoChem works in conjunction with Olex² where more advanced structure solution and refinement functionality exists. AutoChem is seamlessly integrated within CrysAlis^Pro and forms an integral part of our ‘What is this?’ feature. The ‘What is this?’ feature gives you structures quickly and ensures you are not wasting time collecting full datasets on known samples or starting materials. It is an alternative pre-experiment option, which is used to plan your full data collections.