The Powder Diffraction beamline offers a rapid access mail-in service for powder samples in capillaries at ambient conditions. This service should not be used as a replacement for merit access that is available 3 times per year.
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Groups can only submit 1 proposal per round.
There is a maximum of 20 samples or a 3 hour shift (whichever is smaller), per group per round. Users requiring more samples or beamtime can submit a merit round proposal. The experiment may be cut short if it exceeds the permitted 3 h.
Example:
Q: Can I run 20 samples each at 30 min?
A: No, as the total time for the analysis will be ~10 h and there is a maximum of 3 h for an experiment
Q: Can I run 40 samples each at 4 min?
A: No, although the total time for the analysis is ~160 min and less than 3 h, there is a maximum of 20 samples for an experiment
The PD team aim to run samples before the end of the merit round however this cannot be guaranteed as beamtime availability may be affected by unplanned beamline or machine problems.
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions🧐
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🔍 🌟 Please see the following standard operating procedure (SOP) to assist in accessing the PD rapid access mail-in program.
Standard operating procedure (SOP)
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When your proposal is approved we will send you a sample box and pins to mount your samples. The sample box will be sent to the address nominated during proposal submission. Staff will confirm this address before shipping the box and will include a return address label.
Some users with a small number if samples may be asked to send us the samples directly and will not receive a box.
The kit that will be mailed to you will contain:
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‼ Users are required to supply their own capillaries as the PD beamline cannot supply them.‼ Please do not submit a proposal unless you have capillaries in time to prepare and send them back to us. |
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Experiment Authorisation
An Experiment Authorisation (EA) will need to be completed and approved before you return your sample box kit. There may be delays in measuring your samples if the box is returned before your EA is approved. The Australian Synchrotron cannot accept samples that are not associated with an approved EA.
A sample robot template needs to completed during proposal and EA submission. This requires the following to be input: sample box position, sample name, sample base/pin ID (printed on the base of the pin, i.e. PD201), number of positions (2), detector position 1 and 2 (difference of 0.5° 2θ), collection time (use the same for each detector position) and data file name. 🌟 The data file name cannot have spaces, or special characters.
Robot Spreadsheet
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Safety
The PD beamline will only accept low risk materials for mail-in. All hazards of your samples need to be disclosed in the EA form otherwise the experiment will be cancelled. We cannot accept any samples that are:
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Capillaries need to be 0.2-0.7 mm ID, and between 30 - 40 mm in length, as measured from the end of the pin. Larger ID capillaries cannot be sent as they are too fragile. The beam will be centered on the capillary 11 mm from the pin. Capillaries can be purchased from Charles Supper or Hilgenberg.
How to fill and mount a capillary
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The PD team can provide information and tips on sample preparation and mounting. We are not responsible for samples that cannot be run due to incorrect mounting, poorly filled capillaries or not enough sample in the capillary.
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Experiment Proposal Number (EPN): → Don’t forget to fill this in✍
ANSTO - Australian Synchrotron
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