How Does Time-Resolved X-ray Crystallography Work?
In time-resolved X-ray crystallography, a synchrotron or X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) is typically used as the X-ray source. The process involves the following steps: 1. Crystallization: The molecule or complex of interest is first crystallized. 2. Exposure: The crystal is then exposed to a rapid, intense burst of X-rays. 3. Data Collection: Diffraction patterns are collected at various time intervals after initiating the reaction (often through a trigger like a laser pulse). 4. Analysis: The data are processed to reconstruct the electron density maps and subsequently the atomic structures at different time points.
