After years of service and hundreds of structures we here at ALS 8.3.1
have finally replaced our ADSC Quantum 210 detector with a bigger Qantum
315r. I admit it is nice having the bigger detector, but now I need to
find a good home for our old workhorse. We have been through a lot
together, and I can't in good conscience just let it sit on a vacuum
pump indefinitely as a "spare". A detector needs to feel the warmth of
x-rays on its face...
ADSC was kind enough to repeat the calibration in their shop and found
that it is still in great shape. There are no moving parts so these
detectors don't exactly "wear out". I have done my share of experiments
on the performance of detectors and I can tell you with great confidence
that the noise on this detector (and most modern detectors) is dominated
by photon-counting error. The read-out noise is equivalent to that of
adding 20 photons/pixel to the background. So, if your "air scatter"
background is more than 60 photons/pixel, you will never notice the
read-out noise. And yes, I do have charts and graphs to back this up.
I'd be happy to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this
detector for MX, SAXS, or whatever you might have in mind.
We paid $600k for it, but I would like to "start the bidding" at $150k
(OBO). Price includes all support equipment (cables, computers, water
chiller, power supplies everything you need).
Oh, and you also have to promise to take good care of it!
-James Holton
MAD Scientist
