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Investigating Data Collection Strategies for the Rayonix MX300HS 10 Hz CCD Detector Zhongmin Jin, John Chrzas, James Fait, Zheng-Qing Fu, Rod Salazar, John Gonczy, Unmesh Chinte, Palani Kandavelu, John P. Rose and Bi-Cheng Wang SERCAT, APS, Argonne National Lab, Argonne, IL 60439 and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. Earlier this year SER-CAT received its Rayonix MX300HS high-speed area detector purchased with funds awarded from an NIH grant. The detector is CCD based (4X4 taper/chip array) with a 1-2 millisecond readout speed and 8e-/pixel (78 micron/pixel) readout noise providing 10Hz data collection capabilities. In its slower readout mode, the readout noise can be further reduced to about 4e-/pixel, which is less than 1 ADU. The detector was installed in late January on beamline 22BM for integration with SER-CAT's beamline control system and commissioning. This detector is the first of its kind and its fast readout time will allow us to collect data in the traditional shuttered mode with both normal and low noise readout; or in shutter-less mode using 0.1 second exposures with constant rotation of crystal. Importantly, the shutter-less mode may enhance system precision and improve the quality of the resulting data since it should eliminate mechanical errors associated with shutter jitter, shutter synchronization and goniometer backlash during data collection. Based on our preliminary tests, shutter-less mode data collection has confirmed the expectation of being capable for providing better quality data than that from shuttered mode. Shutter-less data collection also offers the ability to efficiently collect fine slice data, which will further improve the signal to noise in the data. We will present the results from systematic tests of the detector in terms of frame width (rotation angle per frame), rotation speed, exposure time, dynamic range etc. Work supported in part by NIH NCRR (S10RR028976), SER-CAT, The University of Georgia and the Advanced Photon Source.
abstracts
For the past 15 years, SER-CAT has been striving to provide its members with access to a "virtual beamline" which could be integrated into their daily workflow much like the X-ray lab down the hall. Working with Oceaneering Space Systems a conceptual design for automated data collection robot (ASTRO) was developed in 2000. In 2003, using funds from the Georgia Research Alliance, automation of the SER-CAT beamlines began with the installation of a highly modified Berkeley/ALS automounter (6 pucks) on beamline 22BM followed by a higher capacity system (15 pucks) installed on 22ID. SER-CAT automation also includes seamless integration with the SERGUI beamline control system, SER-CAT/UGA production of the tools (pucks, etc.) users need to ship crystals to the beamline and automated crystal screening and data reduction systems. Today over 95% of SER-CAT members routinely collect data remotely. Efficient and reliable automation has also allowed SER-CAT to offer two 12-hour data collection shifts per day with extended 16-hour/day on-site user support. An overview of SER-CAT beamline automation including robotics, beamline/experiment control, and automated data processing and structure determination will be described. Work supported by NIH NCRR (S10RR025528 & S10RR028976), SER-CAT Member Institutions, University of Georgia Research Foundation and the Georgia Research Alliance.
