A modified Pinkerton-type helium gas-flow system for high-accuracy data collection at the X3 SUNY synchrotron beamline at NSLS

As the combination of high-intensity synchrotron sources and area detectors allows collection of large data sets in a much shorter time span than previously possible, the use of open helium gas-flow systems is much facilitated. A flow system installed at the SUNY X3 synchrotron beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source has been used for collection of a number of large data sets at a temperature of ∼16 K. Instability problems encountered when using a helium cryostat for three-dimensional data collection are eliminated. Details of the equipment, its temperature calibration and a typical result are described.