Proposal Guidelines - SXR

Please ensure that you read the general information regarding user access at ANSTO facilities, which is available on the ANSTO website, prior to preparing an experimental proposal. Proposal round deadlines for the Australian Synchrotron can be found here. Further specific details on applying for beamtime on the SXR beamline at the Australian Synchrotron can be found below.

Important update; scanning P and S K-edges on SXR:

With the MEX2 beamline, we have a far better-suited alternative for running NEXAFS/XANES at the P-K and S-K edges. MEX2 offers significantly improved performance in this energy range, ensuring better data quality and more efficient use of beamtime. As a result, starting with user cycle 1/2026, we will restrict access to P and S-K edges at SXR.

Some exceptions apply:

• If you are a user from an organisation that does not have access to BRIGHT Beamlines (here, MEX-2), and/or

• if you require access to capability that MEX-2 does not offer (PreVac, XPS, UHV, etc), and/or

• if your experiment requires only a limited number of scans involving P or S.

However, you must consult with us prior to submitting your proposal for access to SXR. Please get in touch at as-softxray@ansto.gov.au.

Beamtime applications will be scored and ranked according to scientific merit, track record, need for synchrotron radiation, technical feasibility and clarity of proposal.
All potential new users to the beamline MUST contact the beamline scientists well in advance of submitting their proposal in order to discuss feasibility and maximise their chances of success.

The beamline team will evaluate proposals and determine feasibility (note we do not score the proposals that is done by the PAC and external reviewers). Please ensure you complete the below tasks in order to make your proposal competitive:

• The Soft X-ray beamline has several endstations, (Prevac, ht-NEXAFS) make sure you specify which one your experiment should be done on.

• Does the experimental plan include a table and/or description of samples and experimental conditions?

• If you have not used the SXR beamline over the past 3 years, have you contacted the beamline scientist team to discuss the feasibility of your experiment?

• The ht-NEXAFS system can operate with mail-in / remote experiments whereas the other chambers require onsite presence. In that case, if you are applying for more than 6 shifts (2 days), make sure at least 3 people are listed as attending.

Overhead times to consider in your experimental plan:

• The first shift (8 hours) will normally be used to train users in how to operate the beamline, endstation as well as data taking.

• Consider the time it may take for sample changes into the system and sample preparation. This can add up.