Research infrastructure MAXS offers state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction, total X-ray scattering, and X-ray reflectometry with several sample environments for advanced material characterization to users from academy, industry, or public sectors. The platform also offers a comprehensive data evaluation environment with access to extensive reference databases for data collected at MAXS or elsewhere, including compatibility with data from synchrotron light sources.
MAXS is an open platform where anyone – academic or non-academic users – can perform analysis. The main analysis technique is powder X-ray diffraction which gives detailed insights in what crystalline compounds exist in a sample. It can also be used for determination of spacing between layers, total X-ray scattering measurements, X-ray reflectometry, and impact of in situ temperature changes on a sample.
The available instruments are two independent Bruker D8Advance systems with the possibility to choose from three X-ray wavelengths, X-ray profile, detector configuration with two detector types, and a broad selection of sample stages to match the needs of an experiment. The users can define what they need from an experiment and the instrument can be configured accordingly. An important feature is the automatic sample changer, increasing the sample throughput.
Data evaluation environment is provided locally at MAXS at two workstations, but also via network for internal users permitting local installation. Up to 20 users can simultaneously use the evaluation software with local installations of the crystallographic open database (COD).
MAXS user club is for internal users and provides extensive access to data evaluation environments including the PDF-5+ database containing 442,600+ inorganic and 623,000+ organic entries. It also enables access to the ICSD-Web database providing crystallographic information files (.cif) files with atomic positions in the unit cell. The membership is tied to a principal investigator, and their entire research group is then granted access.
Access to the platform is provided for academic and non-academic users according to the cost plan in the table below. A typical powder X-ray diffraction data collection has a run time of between 5-20 minutes, depending on instrument configuration, sample type, and purpose of the experiment. There are discounts for bulk users or for challenging samples requiring long data collection times.
Analysis cost per hour
Academic user 400 SEK
Non-academic user 500 SEK
Support staff per hour
Academic user 1 000 SEK
Non-academic user 1 500 SEK
MAXS user club, annual cost per PI
Academic user 2 000 SEK
Non-academic user -
MAXS user club analysis cost per hour
Academic user 250 SEK
Non-academic user -
