For Synchrotron Users | FAQsQ: What happens if you don't get the slot of beamtime allocated to you because there is no beam?
A: Diamond cannot guarantee that lost beamtime due to malfunction of the machine or beamline problems will be reallocated. It will attempt to reassign beamtime which is made available by late cancellations to those who are affected.
Q: What is Diamond’s policy on payment for beamtime?
A: For UK academics or commercial companies undertaking non-proprietary research (i.e. results are open for publication) Diamond will be ‘free at the point of access’. In order to get beamtime through this route the user must submit a proposal which will assessed by a peer review panel and will be graded according to its scientific merit.
Commercial companies wishing to undertake proprietary research (i.e. results are confidential and not required to be published) need to purchase beamtime. Discussions on individual user requirements can be undertaken with the Industrial Liaison Office.
Q: What is Diamond's policy on travel and subsistence for users?
A: Users coming through non-proprietary research will be able to claim according to the T&S guidelines. Diamond will support UK researchers by covering travel & subsistence during beamtime for up to 3 users.
European users will have access to Diamond through the EU Transnational Access (IA-SFS) arrangements if the experiment is EU led and has an EU majority. The level of access will be in accordance with agreed level of EU funding. Users would be eligible for travel & subsistence support through the I3 contract.
International users undertaking non-proprietary research will need to request access to Diamond through the normal process but would not be able to claim travel & subsistence. Any access to beamtime at Diamond will be dependent on the scientific merit of the research work to be undertaken.
Users should refer to the T&S guidelines.
Q: Will users have to carry out the Health and Safety on-site test every time they come?
A: The Health & Safety test will be valid for 6 months unless there have been significant changes at Diamond Light Source. If users return to Diamond Light Source before 6 months has passed then they will not be required to undertake the Health & Safety test.
Q: Can the H&S test be completed prior to arriving at Diamond?
A: Yes. Users should undertake this prior to arrival at Diamond via the Usernet.
Q: What about car parking? Is there any at Ridgeway House? Will there be dedicated parking anywhere?
A: There is no dedicated car parking for guests staying at Ridgeway House. Guests may unload their luggage next to Ridgeway House and may park their cars if space is available. If not, they will be asked to park their car in the parking spaces around the ring. The ability to park close to the ring will enable easy access for transfer of equipment. For Guests arriving late at night a car park closer to Ridgeway House will be available.
Q: Is it possible to copy a proposal once it's been submitted?
A: All previous online proposals submitted by the user will be available. Users can copy this information by a simple ‘Copy’ button in order to modify it for a future submission.
Q: Are the guest accommodation rooms en-suite?
A: Yes, all rooms are en-suite (all have showers no baths). All the rooms are identical apart from the three which are designed for wheelchair access.
Q: Is it possible to book in to Ridgeway House if you don't have beamtime?
A: Ridgeway House is a shared facility for STFC and Diamond users. Rooms will be available for visiting users but those with beamtime will have priority over any other requests. However, these will be on a first-come first-served basis.
Q: What is the composition of the peer review committee?
A: There are six peer review panels, one panel for each of the villages.
Q: Would it be possible to have a 'reminder' before the proposal deadline? Some users complete the online proposal application but don’t submit their proposal before the deadline.
A: An e-mail will be sent out to all registered users two weeks before the proposal deadline.
Q: What’s the number of Diamond staff per beamline?
A: During operations each beamline will have, on average, 4-5 staff attached to it: a principal beamline scientist, a beamline scientist, one or two post doctorates and a beamline technician.
Q: If beamtime is scheduled in 2 trips will both sets of travel expenses be reimbursed?
A: Yes, if the experiment requires the user to separate their beamtime in order to achieve their goals it will be scheduled in this way. Users will therefore be able to claim for each visit.
Q: Can we submit a group proposal to Diamond?
A: The direct access mode is open to both individual or groups of teams and is available on all of the beamlines.
On some beamlines eg powder diffraction, Macromolecular Crystallographers often want to submit proposals in groups since it gives them a greater degree of flexibility and allows them to work with colleagues to make best use of the the beamtime. Since these groups are working on long term proposals and are often quite large the best mode of access is programme mode.
Programme mode is aimed at longer term access for larger groups (BAGs) or for long term projects. These will apply for a period of 2 years from point of submission and will allow an allocation of shifts on a 6 monthly basis.
Calls for programme mode applications will occur twice a year with the call for direct access deadline.
