AXT is proud to announce the sale of another 9kW Rigaku SmartLab (XRD). This is the second order for a high-powered X-ray Diffractometer in as many years. This system will be installed at CSIRO’s Manufacturing Flagship in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton.

The 9kW SmartLab is powered by Rigaku’s patented rotating anode technology which generates an X-ray flux second in intensity only to a synchrotron. These systems produce a flux almost 6 times greater than conventional sealed tube systems that are rated to 3kW, but rarely operate above 1.6kW (40kV, 40mA). The higher X-ray flux generates greater intensity at the detector allowing you to generate data faster as well as providing you with a better chance of detecting trace phases.

The system that the CSIRO have ordered also benefits from a HyPix 3000 detector. These detectors are based on Hybrid Photon Counting Detectors (HPC) technology and are the perfect partner for a high flux x-ray source. They employ semiconductor technology enabling resulting zero noise generation and extremely fast data acquisition. Furthermore, using Rigaku’s intelligent Guidance software, the detector can be switched from 0D, 1D or 2D detection modes by simplistic operator selection.

Rigaku’s Guidance software also makes switching between analysis modes a trivial task. The intelligent system shows you what hardware components are required and guides you through their installation. Optically encoded components ensure you connect the correct items. Following an auto alignment (unique to Rigaku diffractometers), the system is ready to start collecting data.

“We were looking for a cutting edge analytical solution. After reviewing what the marketplace had to offer, the 9kW Rigaku SmartLab was the best fit for our requirements”, said Dr. Aaron Seeber, Research Engineer from CSIRO Manufacturing. His colleague Natasha Wright, Group Leader Biophysics added, “with wide a range of users with varying needs, the combination of high power, system intelligence and flexibility was best placed to serve us now and into the future.”

Richard Trett, AXT’s Managing Director commented, “The University of Queensland recently installed a very similar system earlier in the year. While both of these system are tailored specifically for thin film analysis with an in-plane arm, it is also capable of analysing a range of other materials including solids and powders. This sale demonstrates Australia’s willingness to purchase instruments to future proof their labs and the acceptance of rotating anode technology.”

AXT represent several Rigaku product lines including XRD, WDXRF and NDT in Australia and New Zealand. These form part of AXT’s comprehensive materials science product portfolio.