NIST Standard Reference Material 3600: Absolute Intensity Calibration Standard for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

Published

April 1, 2017

Author(s)

Andrew J. Allen, Fan Zhang, Regis J. Kline, William F. Guthrie, Jan Ilavsky

Abstract

The certification of a new standard reference material for small-angle scattering: NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 3600: Absolute Intensity Calibration Standard for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), based on glassy carbon is presented. Creation of this SRM relies on the intrinsic primary calibration capabilities of the ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) technique. We describe how the intensity calibration has been achieved and validated, together with its purpose, use and availability. The intensity calibration afforded by this robust and stable SRM should be applicable universally to all SAXS instruments that employ a transmission measurement geometry, working with a wide range of X-ray energies or wavelengths. The validation of the SRM SAXS intensity calibration using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is discussed, together with the prospects for including SANS in a future renewal certification.

Citation

Journal of Applied Crystallography

Volume

50

Issue

3

Pub Type

Journals

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DOI Link

Keywords

Small-angle X-ray scattering, absolute scattering intensity calibration, glassy carbon, standard reference materials

Citation

Allen, A. , Zhang, F. , Kline, R. , Guthrie, W. and Ilavsky, J. (2017), NIST Standard Reference Material 3600: Absolute Intensity Calibration Standard for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering, Journal of Applied Crystallography, [online], https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600576717001972 (Accessed October 14, 2025)