SCXRD and PWXRD Student Training
The BRUKER VENTURE D8, BRUKER APEX II, and RIGAKU ULTIMA IV are available for general use by authorized users including the ISU Faculty, Staff and Students.
***NOTE*** X-Ray Safety Authorizations expire Feb 28 of each year. You MUST renew in before end of February of EACH year.****
To use single crystal diffractometers independently, you must complete
Chem 575: Diffraction and Crystal Structure or an equivalent course
All the mandatory steps to be authorized for using CIF X-Ray facility are below:
STEP 1: Obtain a Chemical Services Account.
Each user of Chemical Instrumentation Facility has to be in the current Chemical Services database. Complete the Chemical Services Authorization Form, and scan in the completed form and email it to Lisa Smith.
STEP 2: Obtain X-Ray Safety Authorization.
The annual X-Ray Safety Fundamentals - Refresher Training course is available through Workday Learning and Canvas.
The training should take about 30 minutes to complete. All authorized x-ray users must complete the training before February 29, 2024.
After completing the instructional portion of the training, complete the exam at the end of the training and send the screenshot to ellern@iastate.edu. You must pass the exam with a score of at least 80 percent. Any authorized worker failing to complete the training will lose their authorized status to work with X-ray devices/ Radiation producing Devices at ISU.
For IT assistance with Workday or Canvas, contact the Solution Center by phone 515-294-4000 or via email solution@iastate.edu
STEP 3: X-ray/Radiation Producing Device Worker Application .
The X-Ray/Radiation Producing Device Worker Application is now online.
- Click here to complete the X-ray/Radiation Producing Device Worker Application. We will receive an email to approve your application once you have completed it. We will not approve the application if you have not completed X-ray Safety Fundamentals training as outlined in Step 2.
STEP 4: Request key card access.
Once you have completed X-Ray Safety Fundamentals and the X-Ray Device Worker Application, you have to submit a request for key card access to 1707 Gilman Hall.
STEP 5: Request instrument training.
Before training you should be familiar with SOPs/ Instrument manuals:
- Rigaku Ultima IV Powder XRD
- Bruker Venture D8 Single Crystal Diffractometer
- Bruker Apex II and Bruker SMART1000 Single Crystal CCD Diffractimeters
The request for to the training appointment should be sent to Arkady Ellern. Training for the Rigaku Ultima IV takes approximately 20 mins and can usually be arranged for the following day.
RWXRD and SCXRD Training Overview
The training course for both systems is fully hands-on and consits of:
- Basic overview of sample evaluation and mounting.
- Basic computer commands for the PC and Windows10 operating system.
- Training is done under the assumption that the user has a good quality crystal or a uniform powder.
- After a good sample is found, either a good quality crystal or a standard powder for Rigaku training, the user sets up and collects a data set.
Training for actual data collection consists of:
- The user is stepped through mounting and aligning the sample on the diffractometer.
- The turning on, powering up and down, turning off and all safety matters concerning the operation of the X-ray generators are reviewed.