Data Collection at SSRL using Blu-Ice 5

Blu-Ice/DCS is the beamline control software and graphical user interface used to control crystallography experiments at SSRL. This user manual describes the many features of Blu-Ice/DCS. Use the side bar or table of contents below to learn more about how to use this software.

Blu-Ice/DCS continues to be under active development with new features added and updated frequently in order to respond to the evolving needs of our user base. If you have any questions or suggestions, please be sure to let our user-support team know.

• Getting Started
  • Starting Software
  • Blu-ice Interface
  • Status Bar
  • Message Window
  • The Log Tab
  • "Users" and "Staff" Tabs
• Hutch Tab
  • Pull-Down Menus
  • Adjusting Beam Attenuation.
  • Adjusting Beam Size and Energy
  • Adjusting Detector Position
  • Determining Resolution Limits
• Sample Tab
  • Mounting the Crystal
  • Sample Annealing
  • Adjusting Beam Size
  • Adjusting Sample Lighting
• Scan Tab
  • MAD Scan
  • Excitation Scan
  • Appendix: Absorption edge and main emission line energies
• Screening Tab
  • Uploading Crystal Information in a Spreadsheet
  • Viewing and Selecting Samples
  • Customizing the Spreadsheet Layout
  • Screening Configuration
  • Screening Task Window
  • Sample and Hutch Real-Time Video Display
  • Collecting Data after Automated Screening
• Collect Tab
  • Data collection runs
  • Data collection parameters and commands
  • Run Dose Estimate
  • Diffraction Quality Strip Chart
  • Helical Data Collection
  • Starting a data collection run
  • Image display commands
  • Useful Tips
• Processing Tab
• Processing Tab Layout
• Where are My Data Located?
• ICEflow Versions and Release Dates
• ICEflow-1.0.0 (autoPROC) Pipeline
• Sorting tab
• Raster Tab
• Microspec Tab
  • Introduction
  • Data Collection Procedure
  • Hardware Setup Tab
  • Snapshot (Single Spectrum) Mode
  • Phi-Rotation Mode
  • X-ray Exposure Mode
  • Time Mode
  • Interleaving Diffraction and Absorption Spectra Measurements
  • Spectroscopic Data Formats
  • Hardware Description
  • Tips and Tricks
• User Tab
  • Users pane
  • Chat pane
  • Beamline Release pane
• Video monitoring of the beamline
  • Video Filters
  • Hutch
  • Robot
  • Electronics panel