STRAT: a program to optimize X-ray data collection on an area detector system

STRAT is a Fortran program to optimize the efficiency of data collection on an X-ray area detector system, starting with the crystal in any arbitrary alignment. The high speed of the algorithm makes it possible to select the `best' combination of crystal rotations from a large list of possibilities. The program is applicable to any space group and requires only a few minutes of CPU time on a VAX station 4000.60 computer. The procedure can be used for the collection of data de novo and also in cases where part of a data set has already been measured. Although specifically designed for a system with a three-circle goniostat, the procedure is adaptable to other geometries.