Characterization of biological thin films at the solid-liquid interface by x-ray reflectivity.
We demonstrate that 18 keV x-rays can be used to study organic thin films at the solid-liquid interface by x-ray reflectivity. We establish that this is a powerful technique for investigating biological systems in a previously inaccessible manner. Our measurements enabled the density distribution of single phospholipid bilayer membranes in bulk water to be measured with unprecedented precision. Previously, characterization of biomimetic structures normal to a "buried" interface was a domain of neutron reflectivity.
Miller
C E
CE
Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Majewski
J
J
Gog
T
T
Kuhl
T L
TL
D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction / Q000379:methods*
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines