Performance of beamline X8C at the NSLS

Performance characteristics of beamline X8C at the National Synchrotron Light Source are described. Beamline optics consist of a rhodium coated collimating mirror, a two (optional four) crystal monochromator and a rhodium coated focussing mirror. X-ray source diagnostic information is provided by a dual wire beam position monitor that precedes all beamline components. Measurements are presented for three different optical configurations using the non-dispersive two crystal geometry. Advantages and disadvantages of this beamline design are discussed, with particular emphasis placed on details of the collimating mirror performance. A brief description of experimental apparatus is also given including computing resources, which have been optimized to handle biological macromolecular diffraction data from a CCD area detector. ((orig.))