Who uses Diamond?
Diamond’s users are a combination of academic researchers, in-house research scientists and industrial companies. The vast majority of users will be from academia, with up to 10% of available beamtime going to industry.
The facility offers research tools and techniques that are relevant to a wide range of research fields. Around 40% of our users are working in the area of structural biology. We also welcome material scientists, chemists, environmental scientists, oceanographers, archaeologists, earth scientists, and researchers working in the fields of art, history and cultural heritage.
Is Diamond available to foreign researchers?
Yes. Diamond accepts research proposals from both UK and foreign researchers. All proposals are judged by an external scientific advisory panel on their scientific merit so that Diamond can facilitate the best science possible. Diamond is part of the I3 trans-national access programme, funded under FP7 by the EU, which allows EU scientists to be fully supported when they are allocated time at Diamond.
How much does it cost to use Diamond?
For academic researchers funded by the UK research councils or the Wellcome Trust there is no cost to use Diamond, provided their results will be made public. Academic research proposals are reviewed by an external body of scientific advisors. The best science ideas are then passed on to Diamond for further review on the grounds of technical feasibility and Health & Safety. Once proposals have been accepted, the users are allocated beamtime for which there is no charge.
A small percentage (10%) of Diamond’s beamtime is available for industry to make use of, and Industrial users pay a fee for using the facility.
How do you apply to use a beamline? Who decides who can use the beamlines? What are the criteria?
Academics can submit their beamtime application online via the Diamond website. Diamond aims to facilitate the best science possible within the boundaries of technical feasibility and Health & Safety considerations. All applications are submitted to the external peer review panel for decision based on scientific merit and reviewed by the safety and technical panel. Review panel decisions are then passed to the Diamond management team for final approval. Successful applicants are then allocated beamtime.
In addition, proposals from industry for beamtime, where the results will be published in the public domain, will be accepted for consideration by the standard peer review process that is in place for academics.
Companies wishing to apply for proprietary access (where projects and results are confidential and available only to the customer) will be charged a fee for beamtime used and services provided. All applications of interest should be directed to Elizabeth Shotton, Industrial Liaison Manager, industry@diamond.ac.uk.