Macromolecular
Soft Condensed 
Imaging and
Biological
Magnetic
Structures and
Crystallography 
Spectroscopy We have many MX Manual pages which detail all aspects of how to use us. You can click on the link-boxes on this page to be guided through various work-flows below.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us, at [email protected].
To be able to use your beamtime, a few things need to be done beforehand.
UAS (User Administration System)
- Make sure your PI has completed the safety paperwork in UAS.
- Make sure you are a registered user (with FedID and password). Please check that you are fully registered and complete any missing information.
- Ensure that you have been added to the session and check travel and accommodation.
- Ensure that investigators coming to Diamond have completed the online safety training within UAS, and follow any further advice from the User office.
Samples and experiment
- Talk to your local contact to discuss any experiment requirements.
- Prepare your samples in SPINE pins, Unipucks or the correct type of SBS plate.
Timeline for MX Experiments at Diamond Light Source
| When | Who | Action | Tools |
| 3-6 months before | PI | Registers samples as part of beamtime application. |
|
| > 2weeks before | PI |
Registers users and any extra samples OR cancel shift if you can’t use it. |
OR email [email protected] for cancellation |
| > 1 week before | Users | Check necessary requirements all in place to conduct experiment and test connection to nx.diamond.ac.uk. | Remote Access |
| > 4 days before | Users | Prepare shipping dewar including shipping information in ISPyB and prints labels. Use matched number Unipuck bases and lids. |
|
| > 3 working days before | Users | Ship ISPyB labelled dewars to Diamond including return label with shipment. |
|
| > 1 day before | Users | Should have received notification of arrival of dewar at Diamond. If no notification check dewar tracking with courier and ISPyB. | https://ispyb.diamond.ac.uk |
| > 1 day before | Users | Upload samples in ISPyB. |
|
|
> 1 day before
|
Users | Browse MX website and check the beamline page. If any questions call or e-mail your local contact (LC). |
|
| > 1 hour before | Users | Login using No Machine (NX). | Remote Access |
| < 2 - 0 hours | LC/EHC | Will contact user to inform beamline available. | GDA messenger/ Email to user |
| 0 - 8 hours | Users |
Run experiments. If you finish early, call LC/EHC. |
01235 778787(EHC) or contact number LC provided you with |
| 8 hours | Users | Complete experiments, unload last sample and make hutch safe. | |
| > 8 hours | Users/LC/EHC | Remove samples and put in storage dewar and attach included return label for return shipment. | |
| Prior to and up to 1 day after | Users | Request dewar back. | Shipping Your Dewar Home |
| > 1 day | Diamond Stores | Dewar collected by shipping company. | |
| > 1 day | Users | Complete feedback form sent by the User office. | UAS |
| > 2 days | Users | Dewar received | |
| > 2 days | Users | If eligible claim appropriate academic use costs from diamond |
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
Diamond Light Source Ltd
Diamond House
Harwell Science & Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE
Copyright © Diamond Light Source. Diamond Light Source® and the Diamond logo are registered trademarks of Diamond Light Source Ltd
Registered in England and Wales at Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom. Company number: 4375679. VAT number: 287 461 957. Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number: GB287461957003.