Users from European organisations continue to be welcome to submit proposals to Diamond. The same funding policy and procedure for expenses remains in place for any visit to Diamond as was in place before Brexit.
Diamond is now running a 6-day week. User visits are now allowed, but we still recommend experiments to be undertaken remotely or by mail-in when practical.
We would request that you take a lateral flow test before coming to Diamond.
The maximum number of users per visit remains at 4 subject to agreement with the PBS as some beamlines are still limited to 2 users. There are now no limits on the number of users in the synchrotron building at any one time. However, individual room occupancy limits (including any Diamond staff) remain in place, as do mask wearing protocols.
Where available, data rooms may be used to accommodate social distancing and occupancy limit requirements.
Diamond is committed to ensure maximum safety for its staff, users and public visitors. During the COVID pandemic additional measures are in place, including limited occupancy for rooms, beamline hutches, control rooms and cabins. Any breach of the protocol will be reported to Diamond management and to the individual’s institution and may result in the termination of the beamtime.
Travel if coming from outside the UK
For non-UK users, you will need to follow the Government guidance and be aware that you have to quarantine which may make your visit impractical.
Working protocols
We wish to draw your attention to our COVID-19 Working Protocols accessible below.
You should arrive at the synchrotron within working hours at a time agreed with your local Contact.
COVID-19 testing
To complement the measures already in place to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, all users attending beamtime at Diamond are strongly encouraged to undertake a lateral flow test every 3 days. Users will need to book a test appointment and complete their personal information form here at least 12 hours in advance of attending site. The testing station is likely to be in high demand so early booking is advised and if you cannot find a suitable slot, please contact covidtesting@diamond.ac.uk as the Diamond User Office does not facilitate this. The testing station is behind the black screens in the Diamond atrium.
Please note that if you are coming from abroad and need to do a test:
The lateral flow tests at Diamond are not verified by a medical professional therefore are not suitable for tests required for travel. Please follow the most up to date travel rules provided by your own national authorities and the UK government as the guidelines can change.
You may find these links helpful:
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
See also here for selecting a test and finding a possible test centre
You will also find instructions below on the conditions and rules for actions that need to be taken in case you become ill whilst at Diamond. There is also information on access to kitchens and restaurants, with contact information.
It is important to follow the prescribed guidance and anyone found to be in breach of these will be subject to action from Diamond management.
The maximum number of users per visit remains at 4 subject to agreement with the PBS as some beamlines are still limited to 2 users. There are now no limits on the number of users in the synchrotron building at any one time. However, individual room occupancy limits (including any Diamond staff) remain in place, as do mask wearing protocols.
Where available, data rooms may be used to accommodate social distancing and occupancy limit requirements.
Note that preparation and experiments at beamlines is taking longer than previously.
Please read the Working Protocols as well as the Site Instructions and User Information document on important information about working conditions at Diamond.
We remind you that with the limited user presence on site, a maximum of 2 users in the synchrotron building at any time. Available data rooms may be used to help with social distancing for meetings, but meetings between users are not allowed in the Diamond Ring. The Atrium maybe used for such meetings.
If the protocol is breached:
Diamond is committed to ensure maximum safety for its staff, users and public visitors. During the COVID pandemic additional measures are in place, including limiting occupancy for rooms, beamline hutches, control rooms and cabins. Any breach of the protocol will be reported to Diamond management and to the individual’s institution and may result in the termination of the beamtime.
To help get your session fully in place before you arrive, you must submit your session information 2 weeks in advance, and at the latest 1 week before you arrive.
UK travel rules: LFD test on arrival - until further notice
For non-UK users coming to England from abroad - please check the UK government's COVID information web-site before you travel for updated information. The User Office has identified off-site accommodation that can house non-UK users needing to isolate. This may mean that there will be a delay to any start of a user's session start at Diamond.
If you plan to come earlier than session starts you will need to discuss this with the user office at the earliest opportunity.
We request that both UK and users from abroad take an LFD test on the day of departure (or as close to it as possible). Only travel if you are negative. If testing is not available through your institution, please allow enough time to use the Government scheme for UK users.
The lateral flow tests at Diamond are not verified by a medical professional therefore are not suitable for tests required for travel. Please follow the travel rules provided by your own national authorities and the UK government.
You may find these links helpful:
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
See also here for selecting a test and finding a possible test centre
You must read all emails/correspondence from Diamond and complete the COVID-19 training once, at least 1 week before the session starts.
You must read Diamond's Working Protocols document accessible from a link on this page, this provides important information on what to expect before and during your visit to Diamond.
You need to arrive at the synchrotron within working hours at a time agreed with your local contact.
Diamond expects PIs, ACs or Session Team Leaders to confirm that their session team members coming to Diamond are permitted to travel and have undertaken the required COVID-19 training.
We include the following confirmation in UAS which Team Leaders must tick:
I confirm that all session investigators that are coming to Diamond have undertaken the COVID-19 Working Protocol Training, and are not subject to any restrictions from their institution, local council or government lockdown that would prevent myself or any investigators from travelling or staying overnight. If circumstances change before the visit please inform Diamond as soon as possible.
Please read this not on Fatigue: Things to consider
The maximum number of users per visit remains at 4 subject to agreement with the PBS as some beamlines are still limited to 2 users. There are now no limits on the number of users in the synchrotron building at any one time. However, individual room occupancy limits (including any Diamond staff) remain in place, as do mask wearing protocols.
Where available, data rooms may be used to accommodate social distancing and occupancy limit requirements.
Diamond is committed to ensure maximum safety for its staff, users and public visitors. During the COVID pandemic additional measures are in place, including limiting occupancy for rooms, beamline hutches, control rooms and cabins. Any breach of the protocol will be reported to Diamond management and to the individual’s institution and may result in the termination of the beamtime.
Please go to the main gate to collect your badge as normal. The gate will be informed that you are arriving and will issue this to you.
If you already have your badge please remember to bring it with you.
You should arrive at the synchrotron within working hours at a time agreed with your local contact.
If you arrive in a car please go to the reception to receive a parking permit - see the separate item on arriving by car
Dropping off your badge after the experiment: please keep your badge if you expect to be back at Diamond within 6 months. Otherwise please drop off yur badge at the reception builidng.
The User Office will ensure your information is sent to the main reception before you arrive. In 2021 there have been some slight changes to the way you enter site if you come in a car:
If you enter site without registering your vehicle aat reception you are at risk of receiving a vehicle infringement notice which could lead to withdrawal of parking rights for a substantial period.
To complement the measures already in place to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, all users attending beamtime at Diamond are strongly encouraged to undertake a lateral flow test every 3 days.
Users will need to book a test appointment and complete their personal information form here at least 12 hours in advance of attending site. The testing station is likely to be in high demand so early booking is advised and if you cannot find a suitable slot, please contact covidtesting@diamond.ac.uk as the Diamond User Office does not facilitate this. The testing station is behind the black screens in the Diamond atrium.
When you arrive at Diamond please go to the Diamond House atrium where you will find the Wellostation for measuring your temperature and a sanitisation station. You need to use the machine every day you are at Diamond.
Please consult the detailed information on Diamond's approach to working protocols under COVID-19 working conditions can be found here.
Follow the guidance in the Working Protocols document and maintain social distancing, wear face masks and keep hand hygiene regular according to the recommendations of the document. Please follow all guidelines as provided by each beamline and as provided in the experimental hall, kitchens etc, as explained in local signage and guidance provided by staff.
Users (red ‘USERS’ lanyard) will be expected to use the WelloStationX thermometry station in the Atrium of Diamond House at the beginning of their day on every visit to Diamond site. This non-contact system will measure the individual’s temperature and provide a pass sticker if it’s within a healthy range. The sticker must be displayed on their pass at all times whilst working at Diamond.
If the WelloStationX gives a red reading this means a high temperature has been measured and yopu should leave site immediately.
Social distancing and COVID-19 working protocols significantly increase the length of time required to perform tasks. The productivity of a day now will not be the same as pre-pandemic. Please take this into account when planning your experiments.
If at any point you find you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 you must follow the instructions found in the Instructions for User document accessible from a link on this page. Do not come to Diamond if you have any COVID-19 symptoms. If you are on site and experience symptoms you must leave site.
It is crucial that you have read the working protocols and have undertaken the training before you come to Diamond. You will not be able to come to Diamond if you have not undertaken the training.
If you test positive for COVID-19 within ten days after leaving Diamond site, please inform your Diamond Local Contact and Diamond User Office
For a concise version of the COVID-19 working protocols please see here.
Please keep your user badge after your session if you will be returning to Diamond within 6 months. You will then be expected to bring this along with you for any further sessions.
If you are not returning within 6 months, please hand your badge in at the main gate as you depart site.
You should arrive at the synchrotron within working hours at a time agreed with your local contact.
If this is your first visit to Diamond under COVID-19 conditions, you must arrive at the beamlines/labs between 09.00 and 14.00 to ensure you get your induction done in a timely fashion (this is taking a great deal longer under the current working protocols than is used to.)
The R22 restaurant will be open in the evening and at the weekend as well as for breakfast and lunch.
Users who are staying off site can also eat at Ridgeway House and use their vending cards to pay, but in order to get the booking of your choice, you must book your place (or takeaway) with Ridgeway House by 12 noon and choose from the attached menus in advance. You must also stick to your timing as space is limited. It is possible to call later in the day, but it helps with planning to stick to by the 12 noon timeframe.
At Ridgeway House evening meals are available from 18.00 with last orders at 20.15 for 20.30 when they will close.
Users staying at Premier Inn can also get a meal at the Premier Inn to the value of up to £15 per person excluding alcohol.
Users on night shift can order a take-away meal and we will reimburse this up to £15 per person as per the expenses procedure.
The User Office is open Monday-Friday between 08.30-16.30, closed for lunch 12.00-12.30.
The team can be contacted by email useroffice@Diamond.ac.uk
All enquiries should in the first instance be made to the email address above.
Out of Hours 16:30-08:30 –ONLY
Contact the EHC team on ext. 8787
Lab space is especially limited due to social distancing measures and Lab Inductions taking longer. Please ensure you follow instructions given in your Lab induction, including staying within your allocated working area.
Arrive between 09:00 and 14:00 for Lab space induction. Under current working conditions this is taking substantial time to undertake.
Users can bring their own safety glasses to Diamond. The glasses should be compliant with BS EN 166F or better and be in a good state of repair. The glasses need to be inspected by the lab technicians.
We are experiencing some restrictions in the accommodation available at Ridgeway House due to renovation works.
If you no longer require your room, please inform the User Office and the Hotel as soon as possible. Otherwise, you/your institute will be charged if you fail to do so.
Ridgeway House has produced a User Guide which can be found here
For information on our cleaning protocols please see here
R22 Restaurant - is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner - most restrictions have been reduced
Guidelines for use of Restaurant (please always follow what is advised on the days you use it):
During busy periods, a team member will invite you into the servery area, in time. On your right there is a serving of cold offers whilst on your left hot food will be on offer.
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
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Harwell Science & Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE
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