Investigation of bone and cartilage by synchrotron scanning-SAXS and -WAXDwith micrometer spatial resolution

Biological materials such as bone or wood are hierarchically structured to optimize mechanical and other properties. Several methods and experimental techniques are usually needed to study these materials on different length scales. We developed a device for small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and w ide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), optimized for position resolved investi gations of bone sections using synchrotron radiation. Thin samples can be s canned with 20 mu m steps, acquiring two-dimensional SAXS or WAXD patterns at every point. The system was tested by performing one-dimensional scans a cross bone cartilage interfaces, revealing information about size, shape an d orientation of nanometer sized mineral particles as well as about crystal type and texture of these particles.