How to get beamtime

There are three ways to access the USAXS instrument: the APS General User program (the primary route), the mail-in program (small sample sets, no travel), and collaboration with the instrument scientist (limited). Users from a wide range of scientific fields are encouraged to contact the instrument scientist and use this valuable facility.

General User program (primary access)

To apply for beamtime:

1. Review the documentation on the APS Users Information site
2. Discuss your needs with the instrument staff
3. Submit a beamtime proposal

What to expect:

• Typical allocation is ~3 shifts (24 hours); minimum is 1 shift, maximum rarely more than 9 shifts (3 days).
• For static standard samples, plan on collecting ~15–20 samples/hour using the whole range (USAXS/SAXS/WAXS), including survey and sample mounting.
• We are oversubscribed by ~2×, so only half or slightly more of applicants get beamtime in any given cycle. Most well-scoring proposals will get beamtime in a subsequent cycle due to the "aging" APS applies to its proposals.

On-site experiments are preferred; remote users only when justified.

Mail-in program

!!! Important — the mail-in program is available only to current, approved APS users. Non-APS requesters will have to first register as APS users and be approved — and may be asked to submit a rapid access proposal !!!

We make about 2–3 days of beamtime per cycle available to users with smaller sample sets (typically fewer than 20 samples). Typical use is exploratory research (before applying for beamtime) or projects requiring only a limited number of samples. No beamtime proposal is necessary and users do not come to the APS — samples are handled by USAXS staff and reduced data are sent back to users.

How it works:

1. We accept only samples that are safe, easy to handle, require no processing at the APS, and can be measured at room conditions.
2. Samples MUST be approved by beamline staff first — e-mail  [email protected] describing your needs.
3. If beamtime is available and the experiment is acceptable, we will provide further instructions, including dates. Beamtime is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Sample preparation and shipping instructions are on the dedicated mail-in page.

Publication of data from this program requires beamline staff to be co-authors and must include proper acknowledgement of the use of USAXS and APS resources.

Collaboration with staff

Collaboration time is limited — the General User program is the primary means of access. To discuss a collaboration, e-mail the staff.