Sastool Overview

For solution scattering experiments, the scattering of the specimen (sample) in solution and the scattering of the solvent (buffer) are measured. During data analysis, the intensity of buffer scattering is subtracted from that of the sample to obtain the signal responsible by the difference between buffer and sample. At low sample concentrations or larger scattering angles the scattering of the buffer is often nearly as intense as that of the sample. Consequently even small fluctuations of beam intensity can have a big effect on the result if corrections are not applied. In addition, the errors of subtracted scattering patterns have to be determined from the actual intensities in the original data. Since scattering of the sample may change during an experiment due to radiation damage or movement of the beam, it is essential to make several successive measurements on the same sample. Those frames have to be analyzed for differences before they are added up. Our program SasTool integrates the 2-dimensional scattering patterns obtained from Rayonix and Pilatus detectors and reduces them to a 1-dimensional scattering profile. It performs all above mentioned tasks, and more.