Macromolecular Crystallography

BLU-ICE is a widely used graphical user interface for crystallography. According to BLU-ICE development team, “the highly graphical BLU-ICE user interface simplifies sophisticated experimental protocols and complex motor relationships, hides the complexities of the control and computer infrastructure, and allows the user to concentrate on the problem at hand - the collection of diffraction data or the maintenance of a beamline.”¹ It is important to note, however, that beamline 4.2.2 runs on a customized version of BLU-ICE that integrates with the EPICS control system. As such, the most relevant information for using BLU-ICE at beamline 4.2.2 is contained within this document.

• choose Acquisition → Blu-Ice

Figure 2.4: BLU-ICE – Starting BLU-ICE

• notice the 5 functionality tabs

Figure 2.5: BLU-ICE – 5 Functionality Tabs

• choose the Robot tab

• 2.3.1 The Robot Tab
  • 2.3.1.1 Setup for Use
  • 2.3.1.2 Initialize
  • 2.3.1.3 Mount a Crystal
  • 2.3.1.4 Center a Crystal
  • 2.3.1.5 Exchange or Dismount a Crystal
• 2.3.2 The Collection Tab
  • 2.3.2.1 Collect a Still-Image
  • 2.3.2.2 Collect a Dataset
• 2.3.3 The Hutch Tab
  • 2.3.3.1 Setting the Phi Angle
  • 2.3.3.2 Setting the Slits
• 2.3.4 The Setup Tab
  • 2.3.4.1 Energy Changes