Bruker Launches the METALJET™, a Novel and Extremely Bright Microfocus X-Ray Source for Structural Biology Applications

At the 2012 triennial International Small-Angle Scattering Conference (http://sas2012.com), Bruker launches the METALJET, a novel and extremely bright microfocus X-ray source for structural biology applications. The unique METALJET is now offered exclusively by Bruker as a source option for D8 VENTURETM protein crystallography systems and for NANOSTARTM Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) systems.

METALJET Extremely Bright X-ray Source (Photo: Business Wire)

The METALJET source for Bruker structural biology systems was developed in collaboration with Excillum AB and Incoatec GmbH as the most intense home-lab microfocus X-ray source available today outside of synchrotron beamlines. This revolutionary new liquid metal source technology is well suited to meet the ever-increasing demands of modern structural biology, and particularly of protein crystallography and of small angle X-ray scattering.

Just like conventional rotating anode generators and microfocus sources, the METALJET uses the impact of electrons onto a metal target to generate X-rays. However, the solid anode of conventional generators is replaced by a high-speed jet of liquid metal that can accept a much higher power load. The result is an X-ray beam that is brighter than what is currently achievable with the most powerful laboratory X-ray sources.

The transmission and delivery of such a small X-ray beam also requires technical innovations in the design of X-ray optics, since a smaller X-ray source requires greater precision during the deposition process of the multilayers for X-ray mirrors. The new HELIOS MXTM X-ray optics, developed by Incoatec for the METALJET, transmits the X-rays to the crystal sample in a uniformly small diameter, greatly exceeding the intensity of traditional X-ray sources.

Despite this unparalleled analytical performance, the new METALJET source also features a cost of ownership that is very competitive with conventional rotating anode sources.

The unprecedented brightness of the new METALJET source will allow researchers to bring into the home lab many experiments that previously could only be accomplished at a synchrotron. The METALJET enables structural biologists to collect data on smaller, more weakly-diffracting crystals, improving home-lab productivity more than ever before.

Oscar Hemberg, PhD, the CEO of Excillum AB, said: “We are very proud that Excillum’s liquid-metal-jet-anode X-ray source technology now will be introduced to Bruker’s customers after two years of intense product development and thorough internal evaluations at Bruker.”

Dr. Vernon Smith, Business Development Manager for Structural Biology at Bruker AXS, stated: “Adding the METALJET to our D8 VENTURE and NANOSTAR systems tremendously strengthens our position in the high-end structural biology market. Our customers need cutting-edge tools for their demanding research projects. Introducing the best-performing X-ray source for the home lab underlines our commitment to meet our customers’ demands and to be at the forefront of technology.”

Professor Tim Salditt of the University of Goettingen, Germany, added: “I was the first customer of a METALJET X-ray source back in 2009, and I must say that in addition to the obvious benefits of the extreme brightness of the source I am very impressed with the stability, reliability and ease of use of the technology.”

About Bruker Corporation

Bruker is a leading provider of high-performance scientific instruments and solutions for molecular and materials research, as well as for industrial and applied analysis. For information about Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR), please visit www.bruker.com.

For more information on METALJET, please visit www.bruker.com/metaljet.

About Excillum

Excillum AB was founded in 2007 and is based in Stockholm, Sweden. Excillum develops, designs, and manufactures extreme-brightness microfocus X-ray sources for demanding applications.

For more information about Excillum, please visit www.excillum.com.

About Incoatec

Incoatec GmbH was founded in 2002 by former members of GKSS Research Center in Geesthacht near Hamburg, Germany, and Bruker AXS GmbH. Incoatec designs, manufactures and supplies X-ray optics and microfocus X-ray sources for diffractometry, spectrometry and synchrotrons. For more information, please visit www.incoatec.de.

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