Crystal Mounting


- Easy manipulation and mounting of samples from 700 μm to less than 10 μm.
- Aperture can be easily matched to the sample size, to minimize excess surrounding liquid.
- Curved tips give a convenient scoop-like action for retrieving samples and transfering them between solutions, reducing the chance of sample loss or damage.
- Rigid yet thin construction yields minimal bending in viscous solutions and in cold gas streams.
- Excellent tip visibility at large inclination angles (important when retrieving samples from small wells) due to beveling of the supporting rod. Rods can be cut using cutters or bent using pliers.
- Wicking aperture naturally draws excess liquid away from the sample, reducing X-ray background scatter and sample stresses during flash cooling.
- Lowest background X-ray scatter of any commercial mount (roughly 1/3 that of mylar mounts).
- Precise dimensions for easy sample alignment. Tips are attached to the steel rods with better than 50 μm accuracy.
Dual-Thickness MicroMounts™ have aperture sizes of 10, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200 μm.
These are available in single size boxes and 2 different assortments:
- A1: 20 pins, 5 each of 10, 20, 30, and 50 μm aperture.
- A2: 20 pins, 5 each of 75, 100, 150, and 200 μm aperture.
Assemblies
MicroMounts™ are available as pre-built assemblies of bases and mounts. The mounts are attached to non-magnetic stainless steel rods (also called "pins") then epoxied or pre-inserted into the bases, ready for crystal mounting and data collection. These assemblies are ideal for standard lab use or high-throughput applications.
Each assembly consists of:
- (20) MicroMounts™ of your choice
- (20) Goniometer Bases of your choice
- Optional (20) Magnetic Cryovials
- (1) Base Holder and Protective Case
- All assemblies are constructed using the standard 18 mm (L18SP) rod length
- Boxes of MicroMounts (18mm/SPINE)
Compared with other loop-style mounts, MicroLoops™ provide:
- A more convenient and efficient scoop-like action in retrieving crystals that minimizes the chance of crystal loss or damage.
- Excellent rigidity during sample retrieval and in cold gas streams.
- Excellent tip visibility at large inclination angles (important when retrieving samples from small wells) due to beveling of the supporting rod. Rods can be cut using cutters or bent using pliers.
- Much lower background X-ray scatter (roughly 1/3 that of mylar mounts).
- Much more accurate and reproducible sample positioning in the X-ray beam.
Features
- Thick, durable polymer in both the body and aperture
- No through-holes
- Patented curve mount design
- Precise dimensions for ease of alignment
- Wide range of sizes
- Compatible with standard X-ray hardware
Benefits
- Economical
- Robust
- Rigid
- Ultra low vibration
- Ease of harvest
- Visible aperture size

Aperture Sizes
Dual-Thickness MicroLoops LD™ have aperture sizes of 20, 35, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, and 300 μm.
These are available in single size boxes and 3 different assortments:
- A1: 20 pins, 5 each of 20, 35, 50, and 75 μm.
- A2: 20 pins, 5 each of 100, 150, 200, and 300 μm.