For how long is the synchrotron operational during a year?
The number of hours of beamtime available will steadily increase until Diamond is offering 5,000 hours per year. Since Diamond is still in its early stages, the synchrotron is in shutdown approximately 140 days of the year to do essential machine works and to allow for the installation of new beamlines. The rest of the time, it is running 24/7.How is the facility maintained, and how many people are involved in this maintenance?
Diamond has a large team of experts in the form of scientists, engineers and technicians who all help to maintain the facility. The Technical Division’s main responsibility is to maintain the facility and it currently consists of 165 members of staff.Where do users prepare for experiments?
The users prepare for their experiments either at their own institutions and/or in the dedicated laboratories that have been constructed around the synchrotron building. These are helpfully located close to the relevant beamlines to aid speed and accuracy for experiments.Where do users stay when they are visiting?
Diamond has onsite accommodation for users, providing a place to rest for those working overnight or for longer periods. Ridgeway House offers 180 comfortable rooms, within easy walking distance of the synchrotron building.