mar345= Fast Image Plate Detector
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The fastest image plate detector ever built!
Read-out time for 180 mm diameter: 9 sec
"Since upgrading to the mar345s we only use the new fast scan modes. Great improvement!"
Dr. Ingo Korndörfer, Head of Crystallography, Crelux GmbH, Munich -
mar345= on mardtb goniostat
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mar345= in action
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mar345= : top view of reading head
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Detail of the mar345= : image plate motor
Overview:
At the forefront of modern X-ray structure work, the mar345 Image Plate Detector System offers you the best choice for recording diffraction patterns of small molecules as well as protein crystals. Furthermore, it is a powerful tool for use in the fields of powder diffraction, texture analysis, small angle scattering, fiber and neutron diffraction. Since its introduction in early 1997 the impact in the scientific community has been extraordinary. Close to 420 instruments have been installed by beginning of 2014. They can be found at almost all synchrotrons around the world where they are used as work-horses for all kind of diffraction experiments. Likewise, they are very popular at both commercial and public research institutes. You won’t find an X-ray detector with a better price/performance ratio anywhere!
Improvements in the mar345= detector
Yes, we know that you actually want to see the diffraction pattern as soon as the exposure has finished. This is why we kept thinking on how to improve the already fast mar345 image plate detector. Now, the mar345 is not a pixel detector but we have a nice solution for quickly screening samples. We introduce a new ultra-fast 150 µm scan mode that reduces the typical read-out time plainly by a factor of 2 compared to the standard 150 µm scan mode. The data quality in the new fast scan modes is as good as the the one in the standard scan mode!
Nine seconds (!!!) for a 180 diameter read-out: this is world record! And only 30 seconds for the full 345 mm diameter as well.
Do you really want to collect your data on a tiny pixel detector with very low redundancy and such a small detection surface? Do you really want to have to expose your crystals so much longer than necessary? Do you really think, a pixel detector is a fast data collection device if you don't call a synchrotron your own? Talk to us: we will happily explain the difference! Now, that is a really fast detector.
If you want to see more details, please have a look at the most recent application note "Comparison of the fast and fine read-out modes of the mar345s image plate detector".
Upgrade of mar345 to mar345= :
Most of the existing mar345 detectors can be upgraded to a mar345= . The upgrade consists in replacing the detector controller and installing new software. This is straightforward to do within 30 minutes time. No expert knowledge is required. So why don't you ask for a quotation today?
Highlights:
| Speed | Scan times range from as little as 9 seconds for an area of 180 mm diameter to 30 seconds for an area of 345 mm diameter when using the new fast scan modes. |
| Active area: | Huge diameter of 345 mm |
| Dynamic range: | Due to highly improved optics and electronics raw data can be sampled multiple times: each pixel in the output image consists of 2 digital data when using the 150 micron scan modes. This makes a dynamic range of real 17 bits, i.e. 1:131.071. |
| Sensitivity: | The image plate material itself is sensitive for a broad range of X-ray photon energies from down to 4 keV (3 Ang.) up to 100 keV (0.012 Ang.). This property allows the detector to be used for a large variety of applications - with a special Gd coating even for neutron diffraction. |
| Efficiency: | The read-out system of the mar345s Image Plate Detector is unique in its use of a single high performance 85mW laser which delivers more than 0.8µJ/pixel at the plate. This ensures that an extremely high percentage (>95%) of trapped F-centers are transformed into photostimulated luminiscence. |
| Noise: | Since there is no dark current or leakage current, the intrinsic noise of the system is <= 1 photon equivalent! |
| Design: | All the detector needs is inside the scanner. The one and only connection to the outside world is an Ethernet cable to your computer. Could an Image Plate Detector be more compact? |
| Calibration: | Before being shipped, the scanners are carefully calibrated in our lab. In the course of that process a correction table is generated that will remain valid for the lifetime of the scanner. During that entire process we strictly apply a no-compromises policy. This ensures that instruments go to the customer in perfect shape and thoroughly tested for all functions. |
| Dependability: | After many years of heavy-duty operation at many synchrotrons and home labs we are confident to say: there is nothing around that compares to the reliability of the mar345 scanners. |
| Cost-of-ownership: | The mar detectors and goniometers are renowned for its reliability. Due to this fact and due to excellent serviceability of our products, real costs of ownership of our instruments are far inferior to those of our competitors. |
| Free software: | Easy-to-use and versatile. Plus state-of-the-art data processing software at no costs. Our software distribution policy really makes a difference! |
Configurations:
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mar345dtb: The mar345s detector is mounted on a mardtb goniostat. The mardtb “desktop beamline” features a fully automatic beam alignment system and more than 10 motors including an “inverted PHI” assembly and a 2-theta stage. The mar345dtb system is a complete data collection system that can be operated with any X-ray source (sealed tubes to synchrotrons), the most cost efficient combination being the marYX2G system. |
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marYX2G: A mar345s detector with a mardtb goniostat in combination with a marµS microfocus generator. This system is the perfect choice, when cost-of-ownership and maintenance issues come into play. Despite of the low price, the system is highly suitable for screening samples, but also for complete data collections of small crystals. |
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Stand-alone: Due to its compact design, the scanner can easily be integrated into basically any X-ray data collection setup. The scanner electronics provides a TTL-signal for operating a shutter. It also provides a source of high voltage (for feeding ionization chambers) as well as steps for driving up to 3 stepper motors. Thus, by means of the provided software, the scanner may control an entire experiment. |
Specifications:
| Plate Diameter | 345 mm |
| Usable detector area | 93.480 mm² |
| Diameter of scanned area | Software selectable: 180, 240, 300 or 345mm |
| Pixel size | Software selectable, 3 variants available: a) 150 µm fine and 150 µm fast b) 100 µm fine and 150 µm fast c) 100 µm fine and 150 µm fine |
| Sensitivity | 1 X-ray photon per ADC-unit at 8 keV |
| Energy range: | 4 keV to 100 keV X-ray photons |
| Intrinsic noise | < 1 photon equivalent |
| Dynamic range |
1 : 131.000 (17 bits)
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| Phosphor | BaFBr:Eu2+ |
| Communication interface | Ethernet (RJ45), 10MB/s |
| Erase lamps | 2 LED lamps built-in in reading head |
| Outside dimensions (H x W x L) | 515 mm * 398 mm * 350 mm |
| Weight | 53 kg |
| Energy consumption | approx. 200 Watt |
| Electricity | 120 / 240V (7.5 A) |
| Ambiental temperature | 4 - 24 ° |
| Maximum humidity: | 70 % |
Scan times:
The patented read-out system combines a constant movement of the scanning head (driving down from the edge to the center of the plate) with an accelerated rotation of the plate. The actual rotation speed is inverse proportional to the current distance of the collection system to the center of the plate. This unique procedure of spiral readout ensures constant pixel read-out times over a large area of the plate. The maximum rotational speed of the plate is 3800 rpm.
The mar345s detector can be ordered in 3 variants, each one with a combination of 2 different scan modes:
a) 150 µm fine and 150 µm fast
b) 100 µm fine and 150 µm fast
c) 100 µm fine and 150 µm fine (standard mar345 detector)
| IP Diameter [mm] |
180
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240
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300
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345
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| Scan mode |
Fine
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Fine
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Fast
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Fine
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Fine
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Fast
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Fine
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Fine
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Fast
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Fine
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Fine
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Fast
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| Pixelsize [µm] |
150
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100
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150
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150
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100
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150
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150
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100
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150
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150
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100
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150
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| Scan time [sec] |
26
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34
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9
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39
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53
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15
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56
|
77
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23
|
68
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108
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30
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| Cycle time [sec] |
34
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42
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27
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48
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62
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34
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66
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87
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43
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80
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108
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53
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Computer requirements:
| CPU | Pentium Pro 200Mhz or better (Intel, AMD, etc.) |
| Memory (RAM) | >= 512 MB |
| Disk space | >= 20 GB |
| Video card: | Support for 24-bit colors at >= 1280x1024 pixels |
| Network card: | Dedicated >= 10 Mbit/s with IP-address 192.0.2.2 |
| TV-card: | Optional feature for mardtb goniometer (see below) |
| Supported OS: | Linux: Ubuntu On request: Mac OS X, other Linux flavours |
| Required OS components | X-windows, X11-environment, openmotif libraries |
- All computer systems MUST be equipped with a dedicated Ethernet card set to address 192.0.2.2
- At installation time computers are expected to be FULLY FUNCTIONAL.
- For the mardtb desktop beamline a video frame grabber is strongly suggested. MarXperts only supports this feature on Linux. Recommended models: Hauppauge WinTV Express or Asus MyCinema P7131 (PCI version). Consult the web to see wether your selected card is supported on Linux.
Downloads and manuals:
- Product brochure (pdf: 800 kB)
- Product flyer (pdf: 150 kB)
- Owner's Guide (pdf: 3.3 MB)
- Manual for program mar345 (html)
- Application note mar.AN27Oct14 (pdf: 1.7 MB)
"Comparison of the fast and fine read-out modes of the mar345s image plate detector" - Drawing of mounting plate for foreign goniometers (71,7 KB)
- Drawing of mar345 detector (pdf: 163 kB)