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How to Select the Right Sheet Nozzle for High-Precision Experiments
- Expertise
- May 19, 2025
- Reading time: 5 minutes
Selecting the Optimal Sheet Nozzle for Your Application
Your experimental setup's specific characteristics and the type of beams you're using will determine the appropriate sheet nozzle. Since different beams have distinct interaction depths and scattering behaviors, various nozzle geometries and sheet profiles are available to accommodate the requirements of different experimental modalities. Below are application specific recommendations based on empirical data and user feedback.
1. Photoelectron Emission Spectroscopy (PES)
When high-energy photons interact with a material, they can eject electrons via the photoelectric effect. In PES, the kinetic energy and angular distribution of these photoelectrons are analyzed to gain insight into the electronic structure and surface chemistry of the sample.
- Required sheet thickness: 0.04–0.10 µm
- Recommended product: Liquid NanoSheet Nozzle – Gas Accelerated
2. Electron Transmission Experiments
In electron transmission studies, a beam of electrons passes through a thin liquid sheet. The interaction of these electrons with the sample can provide valuable information on internal structure, material thickness, and chemical composition.
- Desired sheet thickness: 0.23–0.51 µm
- Recommended product: Liquid MicroSheet Nozzle – Micro 1
3. Soft X-ray Interactions
Soft X-rays (low-energy X-rays) are used to probe the surface structure and electronic properties of materials, particularly in the study of thin films, plasmas, and interfaces.
- Recommended sheet thickness range: 1.1–13 µm
- Suitable products: Liquid MicroSheet Nozzles – Micro 1, Micro 2, Micro 2N, Micro 3, Micro 3N
Micro 2N and Micro 3N nozzles generate narrower sheets, which reduce spray and rim instabilities—making them particularly effective for experiments involving high-concentration samples. Nozzle selection should be guided by sheet geometry metrics, including:
- Sheet width at center (Win)
- Sheet length (L)
- Min. flow rate for fringe visibility (Min Q)
- Max. flow rate (Max Q) before sheet breakup
4. Hard X-ray Probing
Hard X-rays penetrate more deeply into materials and are used to study bulk properties, including internal structure, elemental composition, and bonding states via scattering or emission techniques.
- Recommended nozzles: Liquid MicroSheet Nozzle – Micro 3 and Micro 3N
- For high-concentration or high-viscosity samples: Micro 3N is preferred.
- For a larger-sheet-compatible: Micro 4 nozzle is scheduled for release in Q3 2025.
Sheet Nozzle overview
An overview of the available nozzle and related thicknesses can be found in the figure below.
Want to Learn More?
- You can find more detailed technical information and step-by-step setup help at:
https://micronit.com/sheet-nozzle-getting-started/ - Further information on the application of our sheet nozzles at the SLAC Linac Coherent Light Source is available on this page:
https://lcls.slac.stanford.edu/depts/biosci/sed