Proposal and Beamtime guides for XAS

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Last updated: Mar 21, 2024 by AS Spectroscopy Wiki
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General details on applying for beamtime at the Australian Synchrotron are available in the User Information section.

Ensure you read and follow the entire Proposal Guide (download below). Your proposal will otherwise not be competitive at a highly sought-after beamline. All new users to the beamline must contact the beamline scientists well in advance of submission in order to discuss feasibility.

All applicants seeking to use the crystal spectrometer (Hutch C) must contact the beamline scientists ahead of submission.

DOWNLOAD THE PROPOSAL GUIDE

DOWNLOAD THE BEAMTIME GUIDE

THERE MIGHT CURRENTLY BE CONFUSION AROUND WHICH BEAMLINE TO APPLY FOR; XAS OR MEX. IF UNSURE, USE THIS HANDY GUIDE:

EXAFS flow chart (updated).png

For more information about the MEX Beamlines, please visit the MEX User Wiki.

Reminders for IN SITU proposals:

Please read and follow the Proposal Guidelines (above) as you prepare, and ensure the following information is included:  

  • Have you tried ex situ analysis first? In situ experiments are difficult and your proposal will likely be stronger if you demonstrate that you have collected good ex situ data before attempting an in situ set up. 

  • Attach a diagram / photo of your in situ cell at minimum, and describe if your group has used it successfully before at XAS beamline. 

  • If you have a new in situ cell, contact the XAS beamline team well in advance of the deadline to ensure that your cell can fit in the space and has appropriate geometry to be feasible. 

  • SAMPLE TABLE – have you included the sample table listing experimental conditions and scan parameters, as per the Proposal Guidelines?  

  • Describe all potential hazardous products of your reaction (e.g. if your reaction will generate gases, include the table of exposure limits as described in the Proposal Guidelines). 

If you require gases: 

  • Gas flow? – list flow rates, and provide the table of exposure limits as described in the Proposal Guidelines. 

  • Pressure? – list pressures, describe in detail how safety risks will be managed. Note capillary requirements here. 

  • Non ambient temperature? – The hot air blower is a shared resource with PD beamline, so availability is not guaranteed. See our Wiki page for details on which experimental conditions are possible. 

  • When and where will gases be used? Are gases required for solution purging between experiments (e.g. could be done in the Chem Lab) or are they required to be used inside the Hutch during the scan? 

  • Can any of the hazardous gases in your proposal be substituted for less hazardous options? E.g. could compressed air, nitrogen, or argon be used instead? 

 

Useful pages:

https://asuserwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/UO/pages/453836821

https://asuserwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/UO/pages/358908153