ePSIC Users

The electron Physical Science Imaging Centre (ePSIC) is located outside the synchrotron storage ring, in the same building that houses the Hard X-ray Nanoprobe (I14) beamline and the electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC). 

LOCATION: 

electron Physical Sciences Imaging Centre (ePSIC)
Diamond Light Source
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Didcot, Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE

Please arrive at the ePSIC building ready for your session to begin at 9am.

Directions to the Diamond Light Source can be found here.

Successful proposals will be scheduled time on the microscopes and the PI will be notified well in advance regarding their allocated time. A member of the user team will be expected to be onsite during the experiments. 

Data Storage: Data storage and access will be in accordance with the Diamond Light Source's Experimental Data Management Policy. Importantly, as part of this policy: "Experimental Data will be stored by Diamond for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of its creation. Following this initial storage period, Diamond will create a single archive copy of the Experimental Data for long-term access. If more resilient long-term storage is required, this is the Users’ responsibility."

Data can be backed up into Users' HDD using the Data Dispensers available in the microscope control rooms (only compatible with NTFS formatting). For large datasets, we recommend using Globus Online. For smaller datasets FTP or SFTP can be used.

Samples: All proposals require evidence (normally initial data taken on other instruments) of suitable samples for aberration-corrected electron microscopy. If necessary, Users can send their samples to ePSIC a few days before their scheduled instrument time. This will allow our staff to bake the samples (if needed) and load them into the microscope before the experiment for better stability.

Experimental Team and ERA: Principal Investigators will be contacted ahead of their beamtime to submit the experimental team and also the experimental risk assessment (ERA) through Diamond User Administration System (UAS). Please note that only the samples appearing on the ERA may be brought to ePSIC. Please ensure that your approved ERA includes all your samples.

Lodging and travel: Travel and lodging costs are covered for Diamond users (normally 1-2 people per visit). Accommodation is at the onsite guest house or nearby (to be arranged by the User Office).For more information on what expenses are covered please refer to this page.

NOTE: If you have an experiment that does not require you to work overnight on campus but you will be working on site after 6pm or during weekend, please can you notify the User Office in the Special Notes/Requests box on the Session Investigators page when you submit the information. They will then locate you somewhere suitable for a taxi transfer rather than relying on a bus transfer. 

ePSIC staff will contact you regarding the experimental details ahead of your visit. It would be very helpful if you can provide as much information regarding the sample as possible, e.g. simulated images / diffraction patterns of interest, an estimate of stage tilt for a specific zone axis, etc. A list of useful software can be found here.

ePSIC Users can request access to plasma cleaner and vacuum baking chamber (both located in I14 Dry Lab- G07). Please specify this in the UAS when submitting your session ERA.

We are currently commissioning a JEOL FIB (JIB 4700F) at ePSIC. If your project can benefit from FIB preparation and you are willing to take part in this round of instrument commissioning please contact an ePSIC member of staff.

If you require a specific GMS script for your data collection please notify ePSIC staff well ahead of your microscope time, allowing us to test your script before your scheduled session.

The sessions at ePSIC start at 9AM. Allow extra time on your first day to collect your badge from the User Office.

If this is your first session at ePSIC, you will be inducted to the lab by your ePSIC local contact. We encourage users to undertake training during their experiment to enable them to operate the microscope independantly. Independent users can operate the microscope outside of normal staff support hours (09:00 - 17:00).

If you are an independent user your experiment can start as soon as the ERA has been signed off by your local contact.

Information relating to data acquisition, microscope calibrations and software can be accessed from this link.

Do not attempt to do anything you have not been trained to do by ePSIC staff.

Users publishing work containing data from the electron Physical Science Imaging Centre (ePSIC) should ensure they:

• Acknowledge DLS and any of its personnel in any published material that results from your use of the DLS facilities. The following statement should always be included in any publications

"We thank Diamond Light Source for access and support in use of the electron Physical Science Imaging Centre (Instrument E01 or/and E02 and proposal number MG####) that contributed to the results presented here"

• Notify DLS of the title, authors, beamline, journal and reference number, date of acceptance and publication of any scientific publications or papers published as a result of your use of the beamtime

For full details, please refer to DLS Publications and Open Access Policy.