MarCSC CRYOGENIC SAMPLE CHANGER

The MarCSC is an elegant solution to automated sample mounting. Compact, robust, and reasonably priced, high-throughput crystallography is now a reality.

High-throughput cryogenic sample mounting at the synchrotron or in the lab

Designed as a completely integrated package with the MarDTB advanced goniostat for single-crystal diffraction, the MarCSC is a complete turn-key sample mounting system small enough not to crowd any synchrotron hutch or X-ray laboratory. The automated data collection reduces the fatigue on scientists, and allows testing larger numbers of crystals than previously possible.

 Truly integrated with the goniostat

Because the MarCSC is an attachment to the MarDTB, it takes advantage of the convenience of one-click automatic beam alignment. The whole system aligns itself to the X-ray beam automatically and has no realignment headaches or crashing problems of independent robotic arms.

 Carousel of 19 samples in liquid nitrogen

The removable carousel of 19 vials keeps samples safely in liquid nitrogen until they are called by the data collection program. A new carousel can be loaded by the user in just 30 seconds.

 Mounting by automated computer control

Samples are mounted for data collection by a system of computer driven motors. The user can be at the instrument, outside the hutch or X-ray laboratory, or at home!

 Wet mount and wet retrieval

Samples are mounted into the cold stream directly from a full vial of liquid nitrogen. With no room temperature exposure, crystals are kept safe in the cryogenic environment. The empty vial is replaced in the liquid nitrogen during data collection, and pulled out afterward to accept the sample directly back into liquid nitrogen.

 Accurate, automatic loop centering

Optical images of the crystal from the MarDTB CCD microscope, and a unique image processing algorithm, are used to align the loop in the X-ray beam. A dual lighting system improves contrast. Because crystal-centering is still a hot topic of development around the world, our software can also be made to communicate with an external crystal-centering image processing program. Currently, MarCSC users report successful centering by simply using a loop of a size that suits the crystal.   

 Barcode identification system

Sample identification is accomplished with a built-in barcode reader and magnetic caps with 2D barcode and alphanumeric number. The MarCSC utilizes caps that conform to the SPINE international standards for dimensions, tolerances, and barcode design. The standards may be viewed on the SPINE website here (external link). SPINE standard caps called CrystalCap HT^TM caps may be obtained from Hampton Research (external link).

 Fully integrated software control

Simple or sophisticated data collection protocols are all possible with the MarCSC computer control. From screening to full data sets, the MarCSC can automatically and reliably collect a full carousel of samples worth of data without user intervention. Useful crystal centering images are automatically logged for later verification.

 Affordability

The MarCSC is very reasonably priced. Contact us for a quotation based on your specific needs.

Toll-free: 1-877-627-XRAY (1-877-627-9729)
Outside the U.S.: +1-847-869-1548
Fax: 1-847-869-1587
E-mail: info@rayonix.com

Download the MarCSC brochure here.

Get a quotation now by filling out our Online Quote Request Form.