Particle, pore, or domain size
SAXS, WAXS, GISAXS, GIWAXS, or USAXS
Material Analysis · Structure & Spectroscopy
Small-/Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS/GISAXS/GIWAXS)
Characterise particle, pore, or domain size, shape, spacing, and orientation, and hierarchical order from SAXS through WAXS using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£600 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 10 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Xenocs Xeuss 3.0Rigaku SmartLabAnton paar Saxsess MC2
- Typical outputs
- 1D profiles and 2D patternsBackground-corrected scattering curvesModel fits, size distributions, or orientation metricsProcessed spectra
Why this service
What SAXS/WAXS can help you understand
Small-/Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS/GISAXS/GIWAXS) is selected when the project needs defensible information on particle, pore, or domain size, shape, spacing, and orientation, or hierarchical…
Shape, spacing, and orientation
temperature, shear, or time-resolved measurement
Hierarchical order from SAXS through WAXS
model fitting
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
SAXS, WAXS, GISAXS, GIWAXS, or USAXS
particle, pore, or domain size
- Best used when
- particle, pore, or domain size
- Typical result
- 1D profiles and 2D patterns
- Preparation note
- Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review.
Temperature, shear, or time-resolved measurement
shape, spacing, and orientation
- Best used when
- shape, spacing, and orientation
- Typical result
- Background-corrected scattering curves
- Preparation note
- State the substrate, nominal thickness and whether sectioning or mounting is permitted.
Model fitting
hierarchical order from SAXS through WAXS
- Best used when
- hierarchical order from SAXS through WAXS
- Typical result
- Model fits, size distributions, or orientation metrics
- Preparation note
- State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
1D profiles and 2D patterns reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Background-corrected scattering curves supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Model fits, size distributions, or orientation metrics provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Processed spectra included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Powder / particles | Provide a dry, homogeneous and clearly labelled sample in a sealed container. | Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review. |
| Film / coating | Provide the coated substrate or a flat film with the test surface and coating side clearly marked. | State the substrate, nominal thickness and whether sectioning or mounting is permitted. |
| Fibre / textile | Provide clean, dry fibres or a representative textile section in protective packaging. | State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable. |
| Liquid / solution | Provide a sealed, compatible container labelled with composition, concentration and solvent. | Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What should I send for Small-/Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS/GISAXS/GIWAXS)?
Provide powder / particles, film / coating, fibre / textile, liquid / solution as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For particle, pore, or domain size, start with SAXS, WAXS, GISAXS, GIWAXS, or USAXS; add temperature, shear, or time-resolved measurement when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 10 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
Model fits are not unique without prior structural constraints. Polydispersity, multiple populations, and background mismatch can obscure weak features.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope SAXS/WAXS correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth