User Information

The scheduling periods and deadlines for calls for proposals can be found in detail at SLS Proposal Calls.

Proposals can only be considered if they are submitted electronically using the SLS Digital Users Office (DUO).

The overbooking factor (i.e., the ratio of requested shifts to available shifts) at each station at the MS beamline is typically 2 - 3. Shortly after the submission deadlines (see above), the proposals are reviewed confidentially by an independent committee (Proposal Review Committee - PRC). After review, notification of success or failure is automatically sent to the main proposer by the DUO system. The successful proposals are then scheduled. Scheduling is an iterative procedure carried out by the beamline scientists [Phil Willmott (beamline manager and surface diffraction), Nicola Casati (powder diffraction), and Antonio Cervellino (powder diffraction), see Staff]. Every effort is made to accommodate the wishes of the users regarding the convenience of the allocated shift dates. It is therefore very important that the proposers fill out that part of the proposal in the DUO requesting information about preferred and inconvenient dates, as this considerably facilitates scheduling.

Long-term proposals extend over three scheduling periods. Justification for submitting a long-term proposal should be compelling. In general, proposals for experiments that are considered to be "high-risk" are unlikely to obtain long-term status until their feasibility has been proven. Even then, it should be apparent to the PRC, such as through publications in high-profile journals, that long-term status is justified. Scheduling of the machine and beamlines can be found at the SLS Operation Calendar.

General information on things that should be organized in advance of beamtime are described at PSI User Office - Before Arrival

It is recommended that the proposer contact the relevant beamline scientist (see Staff) to obtain any information required for preparing his/her experiment prior to the beamtime. He/she should first carefully check this website to see what is available at his/her endstation of interest. In addition, requests for dosimeters can be obtained by the DUO, while information about accommodation at the guesthouse and nearby hotels can be obtained here.

It is important that the forthcoming user has checked with the beamline scientist the following considerations:

• Desired photon energy?
• Does the user require polychromatic light (pink beam)?
• Which mode of diffractometer operation (SD: vertical or horizontal)?
• What sample environments are needed (temperature, pressure, gases, etc)?
• Transmission of the sample at the desired photon energy?
• Sample mounting possibilities and constraints?
• Angular or spatial resolution?

Setting up an experiment is, in general, performed as part of the allocated beamtime, in other words, it is not expected that the previous user finishes early in order to allow the next user to prepare the experiment in advance. Under favourable circumstances, it may be possible to complete some part of setting up in the experimental hutch in advance. This depends on whether the hutch is being used by another user immediately prior to one's beamtime. Check with the relevant beamline scientist. Access to the experimental hutch before beamtime is more probable (though certainly not guaranteed!) at the surface diffraction station, due to the fact that, in contrast to the PD facility, it can remain open when the other two are being used. Changeover times from any one station to another requires about one hour.

It is strongly recommended that the user ensures that all necessary preparations have been made for the import of any equipment that needs to be checked through Swiss Customs. Failure to do this can lead to substantial delays and possible loss of some or all of the allocated beamtime. A comprehensive description of the necessary steps to take are given here, including contact details if there are any uncertainties or questions.

Shift Schedule

User support is available from 07.00 until 22.00 during the week, at the numbers given in Contact Numbers. At the weekend, the user should first contact the Control Room.

The current beam status can be viewed at SLS Realtime Status page.