VariMax™ X-ray optics
Intense, uniform VariMax beam profile |
VariMax, the latest generation of Confocal Max-Flux® (CMF) optics, is a landmark of innovative design and functionality. VariMax optics will increase output from most fine focus rotating anode generators but were specifically designed to achieve maximum performance when coupled with Rigaku microfocus X-ray generators. VariMax optical systems all feature a patented, continuously adjustable divergence slit assembly that enables users to adjust the X-ray beam divergence to allow for optimal spot separation for each crystal.
Different models of the VariMax optical system are available which have been designed and tested for specific applications and all VariMax optics provide superior performance compared to other X-ray optics. The long length of VariMax optics, compared to other multilayer optics, captures more of the X-ray beam from the microfocus generator resulting in higher flux. High flux, excellent spectral purity, uniform beam profile, and adjustable divergence make VariMax optics the ideal choice for single crystal diffraction experiments.
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Superior spectral purity of VariMax compared to single bounce optics. VariMax beam profile is shown in solid lines; single bounce optic shown in dotted lines. Blue is Kα and red is Kβ |
Available VariMax models
- VariMax HF
- Highest usable flux of Cu Kα radiation
- Optimized for microfocus generators and small crystals
- Ideal for applications using CCD based detectors and/or experiments with short crystal to detector distances
- VariMax HR
- Best optic for resolving long unit cell axes with Cu radiation
- Up to 4-fold greater flux than with Blue optics
- Ideal for applications using imaging plate detectors and/or experiments with long crystal to detector distances
- VariMax Cr
- Highest usable flux: up to 8 times the flux of original Cr optic, making more SAD experiments possible in the home lab
- Optimized for chromium wavelength X-rays
- Swappable with VariMax HR Cu optic for dual wavelength systems
- VariMax Mo
- Highest usable flux for small molecule experiments: up to 20 times more flux than a graphite monochromator for small crystals
- Optimized for molybdenum Kα wavelength X-rays
- Ideal for small crystals (<100 μm)
- VariMax Ag
- Optimized for silver radiation (models available for either Kα or Kβ )
- Ideal for high Z electron density studies
- VariMax Co
- Designed for protein crystallography experiments using Co Kα radiation