The most extreme degree of confusion (or at least of requirement for fast mental arithmetic) I have come across in relation to this topic is the habit of small-molecule crystallographers working on accurate density studies to characterise the resolution limit of their datasets by quoting the maximum value of sin(theta)/lambda in Angstrom^-1. Upon being told of a dataset "with a resolution of 1.25 in sin(theta)/lambda" you have to quickly deduce that the maximum d* value is 2.50 and therefore, in protein crystallographer lingo, the resolution limit dmin is 0.40 Angstrom. Then, you start feeling very envious.
With best wishes, Gerard. -- On Thu, Jun 30, 2011 at 02:07:28PM -0400, Richard Edward Gillilan wrote: > This has been a point of confusion > > Here are the conventions used in a few of the classic SAXS text vs. recent > reviews: > > -------------- > I believe Guinier actually used the variable "u" in his thesis, but must have > changed at some point (I don't have it handy to check at the moment). > > Guinier & Fournet (1955) h = 4pi Sin(theta)/lambda where 2*theta = > scattering angle > > Glatter & Kratky (1982) (including chapters by Porod and other authors) > h = 4pi Sin(theta)/lambda > > --- so "h" makes sense if one is familiar with crystallography derivations. > > Feigin & Svergun (1987) s = 4pi Sin(theta)/lambda > > The notation "s" seems to come from the notation for "scattering" vectors. > > Svergun publications consistently use s this way, though the software can > define s with or without the 2pi and in either inverse nanometers or inverse > Angstroms. In my experience very few use 2Sin(theta)/lambda, though it is > more familiar to crystallographers as the inverse of the d-spacing. > > But "q" is widely used in BioSAXS: > > Putnam, Hammel, Hura & Tainer (2007) q = 4 pi Sin(theta)/lambda > Jacques and Trewhella (2010) q = 4 pi Sin(theta)/lambda > > Why q? I haven't traced it back yet. From generalized coordinate of classical > mechanics maybe? > > > > On Jun 30, 2011, at 3:37 AM, James Stroud wrote: > > > Hello All, > > > > Is there precedent or a conventional shorthand (e.g. greek letter) for > > sin(theta)/lambda? > > > > Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. > > > > James -- =============================================================== * * * Gerard Bricogne g...@globalphasing.com * * * * Global Phasing Ltd. * * Sheraton House, Castle Park Tel: +44-(0)1223-353033 * * Cambridge CB3 0AX, UK Fax: +44-(0)1223-366889 * * * ===============================================================