Device for hosting a probe solution of molecules in a plurality of independent cells

Abstract

A device to host a crystallization medium, such as a solution, for crystal growth and a system for X-ray diffraction experiments to determine the atomic structure of crystals. A plurality of cells have a well, a sample holder placed in the well. The solution is hosted in the sample holder between thin-plates or one thin-plate. A cap seals an opening to the cell and each sample holder can be extracted independently from each well. A system for automated X-ray diffraction experiments for small crystals in the sample holder extracted from the wells utilizes an ultrasonic acoustic levitator to determine the crystal structure at atomic resolution. X-ray diffraction images are generated by scanning the X-ray beam over the levitated sample holder along a spiral trajectory by rotating the sample holder and moving in the direction perpendicular to the X-ray beam and the rotation axis at the same time.