Procedures for Princeton Molecular Biology X-Ray Facility

PROCEDURES FOR PRINCETON MOLECULAR BIOLOGY X-RAY FACILITY

All Users must meet with Phil Jeffrey (Schultz-417, 258-3978, [email protected]) before they can use the equipment. You must also have taken X-ray radiation training by EHS (see http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/) and have a radiation badge and be wearing it.

To obtain beam time: Email Phil Jeffrey ([email protected]). All requests must be sent via email for record keeping, even if you simply want to screen crystals for a few hours one evening. Sign up on the sheet on the door.

To start X-ray equipment: Cold Stream: a. Check lN2 level in big dewar. If below 1/4, fill the small dewar from the large one and take large dewar for refill. b. Turn on dry air unit c. Turn on cryo control system and program ramp to 100K at 120K/hour, then hold at 100K. Check lN2 level in small dewar. Optics a. Verify that the small silver optics vacuum pump is working b. Check the manometer reading (< 30mmHg). Vacuum is essential to protect the optics. Do not operate without it. c. Helium is no longer needed Power Up Beam To 50 kV and 100 mA, slowly

At End of Run: a. Program cold stream to ramp to 293K at 120K/hour b. Don't change anything about optics c. Power down generator to 20 kV and 10 mA, slowly d. When the cold stream reaches 293K, turn off the dry air system and the cryo control box e. Clean up the hutch and computer room (no loops, plates, tips to be left here) f. Fill out end of run form g. Move useful data from PC to process disks and delete unwanted images (data left > 1 month can be deleted)

These procedures will keep equipment operational and workspace ready for all users – Phil Jeffrey, January 2010.

In case of equipment failure or alarm, contact: Phil Jeffrey (609) 936 1860 home (646) 319-9185 cell (best option) Fred Hughson 497-1086

Rigaku/MSC (emergency only – vendor) (770) 973-7514

For nitrogen contact: Receiving at 8-2807