Beamline Updates

• Please see the MX User Wiki for information about our beamlines or contact us directly: as-mx@ansto.gov.au

• The MX3 beamline is taking proposals for Run 2 of 2025. Please contact us for information about MX3: as-mx3@ansto.gov.au

Mail-In proposals Please check the wiki before submitting a proposal

Updates

Purchase of a gas system and mass spectrometer The gas system is a Hiden XCS system that can produce gas mixtures and generate a flow of gas at a specified flow rate. The mass spectrometer is a Hiden QGA. Both are currently being commissioned and will be ready soon.

Mythen-II issues Currently experiencing issues with our main detector losing communication. Suspect its an end-of-life issue and are investigating the use of our 2D detector for experiments.

Hutch C upgrades and 2D detector Upgrade project on hold due to resourcing constraints.

• The ADS1 and ADS2 beamlines are currently under construction and not taking proposals.

• IMBL Beamline wiki pages

• Proposal submission guidelines for the IMBL beamline.

• Please see the beamline page for IMBL updates.

• We are very excited to announce that the MCT beamline is now taking proposals from BRIGHT funders! A list of funders is available on the following webpage: https://www.ansto.gov.au/our-facilities/australian-synchrotron/project-bright

• Please see the MCT beamline page for some technical information on the beamline, as well as the ANSTO website.

• Potential Users interested in putting in a proposal for round 2023-3 are asked to contact the MCT beamline scientists to discuss their experiment.

  • MCT group email: as-mct@ansto.gov.au

  • Dr Andrew Stevenson (lead scientist): stevensa@ansto.gov.au

  • Dr Benedicta Arhatari (beamline scientist): arhatarb@ansto.gov.au

• 2026 onwards: We can no longer supply IR windows to our User community. Users are expected to purchase their own IR windows for their experiments. We recommend Crystran, but know they are not the cheapest option. We will hold emergency stock at the beamline of common sizes and materials.

• See our wiki page on epifluorescence for finding ROIs.

• Proposal submission guidelines for the IRM beamline. New Users are encouraged to discuss proposal ideas with a member of the beamline team.

• Returning Users: please ensure you download the 2025 Sample Spreadsheet from the portal for your proposal.

• Catalysis / Battery researchers: if your experiment has hazardous species (reactants, intermediates, products), please ensure you state the quantity produced, how it relates to exposure limits, and measures for mitigating risk in your proposal.

• Proposal submission guidelines for the XFM beamline.

• The Nanoprobe beamline is currently under construction and not taking proposals.

• Proposal submission guidelines for the SAXS/WAXS beamline.

• The BioSAXS beamline is now accepting proposals!

• Please contact a member of the BioSAXS team to discuss eligibility and beamline capabilities before submitting a proposal: as-biosaxs@ansto.gov.au

  • Dr Andrew Clulow (Senior Beamline Scientist): clulowa@ansto.gov.au

  • Dr Lester Barnsley (Beamline Scientist): barnslel@ansto.gov.au

  • Annmaree Warrender (Beamline Scientist): warrenda@ansto.gov.au

The XAS Beamline has specific proposal guidelines that must be followed, including the inclusion of a sample table. Note that this is distinct from the Excel spreadsheet used during the Experiment Authorisation process. Full details are provided in the proposal guidelines (see below).

• BEAMLINE CONTACT - contact the XAS Beamline team on as-xas@ansto.gov.au

• 2 BEAMLINE MODES - we operate the beamline in two distinct beamline modes and each beamtime proposal may seek access to one beamline mode only. Note that you can submit multiple proposals. See here for further details

• CHOOSING CORRECT BEAMLINE - not sure if you should apply for the XAS or MEX beamlines? check our handy flow chart. Note that the lowest energy edge we can reach on the XAS Beamline is the Mn K-edge. Please get in touch with the MEX beamlines for lower energy work, including for the Cr K-edge, or Ce L-edges, and below.

• PROPOSAL GUIDELINES - all proposals must follow the submission guidelines for the XAS Beamline. Failure to do so will limit the chances of your proposal being successful.

• SCAN PARAMETERS - with our current scan protocol (slew scanning), we can achieve very fast acquisition times (e.g. <60 s per full scan), which may be useful for in-situ experiments. However, a typical standard scan is ~6 min to collect data up to 1 keV above the edge (“k = 16”). For a diligent ex-situ study, we recommend collecting at least three scans per sample: two scans at the same position (to assess repeatability) and one at a different position (to assess sample homogeneity). Including alignment, this corresponds to a minimum of ~30 min per sample per edge. This is not a one-size-fits-all guideline, but it provides a practical starting point for estimating beamtime requirements.

• SPECTROMETER - a crystal spectrometer (e.g. for HERFD) is available in the second experimental station (Hutch C). We are continuing to develop capability and experience with this instrument, and users are encourage to submit merit proposals. However, you must contact the beamline team in advance to discuss feasibility. At present, proposals are only supported in Mode X (up to 19 keV). For operational reasons, Hutch C is dedicated to experiments using the spectrometer. All other experiments, including in-situ studies (e.g. catalysis and batteries) are accommodated in Hutch B as per standard operation.

Beamline news

• 5th March 2024: All experimental endstations are fully operational for Cycle 2 2024, and are available for Cycle 3 2024

Experimental Systems

Prevac Endstation

• 5th March 2024: Sample-holder transfer and exchange mechanism inside the Prevac UHV endstation has been fully refurbished and back to “as-new” operation

High-Throughput NEXAFS system

• 5th March 2024: Vortex EM single-element Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) now offered to users. Currently only offered in Total Fluoresence Yield (TFY) mode. Contact beamline staff for technical assistance

Toroidal Analyser (ARPES)

IMPORTANT

• Contact the beamline team (as-softxray@ansto.gov.au) for specific questions on capabilities or consult the User Wiki

• New users are STRONGLY encouraged to discuss proposal ideas with a member of the beamline team: as-softxray@ansto.gov.au

• Proposal submission guidelines for the SXR beamline.

• Not sure if you should apply for MEX or XAS? Check our handy flow chart.

• Potential Users MUST CONTACT BEAMLINE STAFF and discuss the proposed measurements prior to submitting their proposal (as-mex@ansto.gov.au).

• All proposals must contain a sample table that summarises the experiment (use the table template available in the MEX proposal guidelines document).

• Now accepting proposals requiring a cryostat

• Please note ex situ samples ONLY. Samples must suitable for transmission measurements in air, under ambient temperature and pressure.

Please see the MEX User Wiki and ANSTO website for more information about the MEX beamlines.

• Not sure if you should apply for MEX or XAS? Check our handy flow chart.

• Potential Users MUST CONTACT BEAMLINE STAFF and discuss the proposed measurements prior to submitting their proposal (as-mex@ansto.gov.au).

• All proposals must contain a sample table that summarises the experiment (use the table template available in the MEX proposal guidelines document).

• Please note ex situ samples ONLY. Samples must suitable for drain current measurements in vacuum.
  
  

Please see the MEX User Wiki and ANSTO website for more information about the MEX beamlines.