Duke University | Pratt School of Engineering

SAXS Resources

 Software:

Useful reviews to get started with SAXS (biological macromolecules):

  • DA Jacques, JM Guss, DI Svergun, J Trewhella, 2012. "Publication guidelines for structural modeling of small-angle x-ray scattering data from biomolecules in solution." Acta Cryst. D68:620-626.
  • DI Svergun and M Koch. 2003. "Small angle scattering studies of biological macromolecules in solution." Rep. Prog. Phys. 66:1735–1782

 

Useful Textbooks:

 

Particularly helpful SAXS resources from Scott Barton, MolMex:

  • The SAXS Guide, H. Schnablegger and Y. Singh, Anton Paar.  A great introduction to SAXS and GISAXS.  
  • Elementary Scattering Theory for X-ray and Neutron Users, D.S. Sivia, Oxford (2011).  I’m lovin’ this book.  Excellent intro level for first time (and experienced) scatterers with chapters on Reflectivity and SAXS.  Crystal clear explanations.
  • Small Angle Scattering of X-rays, A. Guinier & G. Fournet, John Wiley(1955).  The classic text, and available usually in an academic library, but the chapter in the next reference by Porod pretty much covers everything that is still current.
  • Many current developments can be found in the Journal of Applied Crystallography published by IUCR and available online to most academic researchers.  The published the proceedings from the last several SAS meetings are available online and can be found here:
  • SAS 1996 Proceedings:  J. Appl. Cryst. 30, Part 5, Number 2 (1997).
  • SAS99: J. Appl. Cryst. 33, Part 3 Number 1 (2000).
  • SAS 02: J. Appl. Cryst. 36, Part 3, Number 1 (2005).
  • SAS06: J. Appl. Cryst. 40, Part s1 (2007).
  • SAS09: http://iopscience.iop.org/1742-6596/247/1
  • Elements of Modern X-ray Physics, J. Als-Nielsen and Des McMorrow, Wiley, 2001.  Very comprehensive with emphasis on synchrotron applications that require more incident beam intensity.  Important refererence for materials  and surface applications, and anyone thinking about moving to the synchrotron for the flux-limited work.  There’s a newer edition that certainly has more in it. 
  • X-rays in Theory and Experiment, A.H. Compton and S.K. Allison, Van Nostrand, 1935.  Old book but good intro to the x-ray index of refraction and difference between group velocity and phase velocity.
  • Elements of X-ray Diffraction, B.D. Cullity, Addison-Wesley, 1978.  No SAXS, but general “go to” reference for XRD.
  • The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Feynman, Leighton and Sands, Chapter 32 and prior for a discussion of scattering (light) and cross section.
  • Polymers:
  • X-ray Diffraction Methods in Polymer Science, L.E. Alexander, , Wiley-Interscience (1969).  Definitely Old School and not in print, though the library should have a copy.  Very readable sections on polar plotting for anisotropic samples and a side-by-side description of slit-smeared and pinhole formulae for SAXS.
  • Fractal Scattering:
  • Principles of Condensed Matter Physics, Chaikin and Lubensky, Cambridge (1995) Chapter 2 is a good scattering review with applications to Fractal scattering.   The presentation is more advanced, but a standard description for someone with Stat Mech under their belt.