Synchrotron crystallography: High precision diffraction beamline, P24, at PETRA III.

The high-brilliance, 3rd generation synchrotron radiation source PETRA III at DESY in Hamburg, Germany, serves over 3500 users annually, providing advanced X-ray capabilities for cutting-edge research through operating 25 beamlines. This advanced facility supports research in biology, chemistry, physics and materials science. Both national and international scientists have the opportunity to carry out experiments at DESY, benefiting from its state-of- the-art facilities and expanding scientific collaborations. A brief overview of beamline P24, a dedicated facility for small-molecule crystallography at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, will be given.

Synchrotron radiation (SR) has a profound impact on the field of small molecule crystallography. Unlike laboratory-based X-ray sources, the synchrotron provides high brightness and energy tuneability (8 keV-40 keV). This allows us to obtain higher-quality data even from small and weakly diffracting crystals, whilst sensitive crystals can be measured faster.Twinnedcrystals,diffusescatteringsamples, incommensuratelymodulatedcrystals,and quasi-crystals can be easily identified and handled using high-brilliance SR X-ray diffraction together with high-resolution and fast photon counting detectors e.g., Lambda 7.5M CdTe detector which is available at P24. The importance of using synchrotron X-ray diffraction for understanding the crystal chemistry and the functional properties at ambient and non-ambient conditions will be presented using examples which are successfully measured at P24.

Moreover, in preparation for PETRA IV, envisioned as the world’s most powerful synchrotron radiation source, PETRA III has introduced a testing phase of the generic rolling access. This allows continuous proposal submission without calls for proposals or deadlines. The submitted proposals are reviewed, evaluated, and scheduled on a rolling basis. The rolling proposals remain valid maximum for two years, encouraging flexibility and responsiveness, with the first experiments to schedule within six months of the acceptance.