Single molecule diffraction

The use of hydrated molecules within helium droplets was proposed for the structure analysis of small proteins. The use of a continuous electron beam and deep ultracold droplet source was suggested, and molecules were aligned with simple plane-polarized laser. The laser system used a quarter-wave plate to generate elliptically polarized light, which fixed the orientation of passing molecules. The use of hydrated molecules within helium droplets resulted in reduced radiation damage, and improved the degree of alignment.