# US 11,029,265 B2 · X-ray scattering apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,265 B2 - Document ID: US11029265B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/301,980 - Filed: 2017-05-17 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-20 - Assignees: Xenocs SAS - Applicants: Xenocs SAS - Inventors: Peter Hoghoj - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029265B2 ## CPC - G01N 23/20008: Constructional details of analysers, e.g. characterised by X-ray source, detector or optical system; Accessories therefor; Preparing specimens therefor (monochromators for X- rays using crystals G21K1/06) - G01N 23/20: by using diffraction of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating crystal structure; by using scattering of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating non-crystalline materials; by using reflection of the radiation by the materials - G01N 23/201: by measuring small-angle scattering - G01N 2223/50: Detectors - G01N 2223/501: array - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract An X-ray scattering apparatus has a sample holder for aligning and orienting a sample to be analyzed by X-ray scattering, an X-ray beam delivery system arranged upstream of the sample holder for generating and directing a direct X-ray beam along a propagation direction towards the sample holder, a proximal X-ray detector arranged downstream of the sample holder as to let the direct X-ray beam pass and detect X rays scattered from the sample, and a distal X-ray detector arranged downstream of the sample holder and movable along the propagation direction (X) of the direct X-ray beam in which the proximal X-ray detector is also movable essentially along the propagation direction of the direct X-ray beam. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An X-ray scattering apparatus, comprising: a sample holder for aligning and orienting a sample (12) to be analyzed by X-ray scattering; an X-ray beam delivery system arranged upstream of the sample holder for generating and directing an X-ray beam along a propagation direction (X) towards the sample holder; a proximal X-ray detector (10) arranged downstream of the sample holder such as to let the direct X-ray beam pass and detect X rays scattered from the sample (12); and a distal X-ray detector (14) arranged downstream of the sample holder and movable along the propagation direction (X) of the direct X-ray beam, wherein the proximal X-ray detector (10) is also movable along the propagation direction (X) of the direct X-ray beam, wherein the proximal X-ray detector (10) and the distal X-ray detector (14) are movable with respect to each other between at least one first measurement configuration in which the distal X-ray detector (14) is arranged downstream of the proximal X-ray detector (10) and at least one second measurement configuration in which the distal X-ray detector (14) and the proximal X-ray detector (10) are located at approximately equal distances from the sample holder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the at least one first measurement configuration the distances of the proximal and the distal X-ray detectors from the sample holder are selected such that the proximal X-ray detector (10) allows measurement of wide angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) scattering signals and the distal X-ray detector (14) allows measurement of small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) scattering signals. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the at least one second measurement configuration the proximal and the distal X-ray detectors are arranged such as to form a joint X-ray detector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in the at least one second measurement configuration individual detection surfaces of the proximal and the distal X-ray detectors form a continuous joint detection surface of the joint X-ray detector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the at least one second measurement configuration the proximal X-ray detector (10) is located slightly closer to the sample (12) than the distal X-ray detector (14). ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in the at least one second measurement configuration the center of the joint X-ray detector coincides with a projection of the direct X-ray beam. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a beam stop for preventing the direct X-ray beam from reaching the distal X-ray detector (14), wherein said beam stop is mounted such that it is displaced together with the distal X-ray detector (14) when said distal X-ray detector (14) is moved along the propagation direction (X) of the direct X-ray beam. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the proximal X-ray detector (10) and/or the distal X-ray detector (14) is furthermore movable in a plane (YZ) orthogonal to the propagation direction (X) of the direct X-ray beam. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said beam stop is mounted such that it is not displaced together with the distal X-ray detector (14) when said distal X-ray detector (14) is moved in said plane (YZ) orthogonal to the propagation direction (X) of the direct X-ray beam. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the proximal X-ray detector (10) and/or the distal X-ray detector (14) is tiltable such that a normal to its detection surface is directed to the sample holder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proximal X-ray detector (10) and the distal X-ray detector (14) are each movable on respective individual rails or are both movable on a common rail. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proximal X-ray detector (10) and/or the distal X-ray detector (14) comprises an X-ray sensor movable along the propagation direction (X) of the direct X-ray beam connected to counting electronics at least part of which is located at a different position than the X-ray sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the part of the counting electronics of the movable X-ray sensors of the proximal X-ray detector (10) and/or the distal X-ray detector (14) which is located at a different position than the respective X-ray sensor is a common part to both X-ray detectors. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the detection surfaces of the movable X-ray sensors are limited on at least one side by only the borders of the active areas of the respective sensors. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The X-ray scattering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proximal X-ray detector (10) and/or the distal X-ray detector (14) is furthermore rotatable about at least one axis lying in the plane (YZ) orthogonal to the propagation direction (X) of the direct X-ray beam.