Staff Resources
Interested scientists are encouraged to submit proposals for experiments utilizing the LCLS’s unique capabilities to be carried out January – May 2013. Learn more about the instruments and latest developments by contacting LCLS scientists and by reviewing detailed instrument descriptions available on the LCLS User web site. http://lcls.slac.stanford.edu/Instruments.aspx
Experimental stations available to users:
• Atomic, molecular and optical science (AMO) – contact Christoph Bostedt (bostedt@slac.stanford.edu) or John Bozek (jdbozek@slac.stanford.edu)
• Investigation of materials with soft X-rays (SXR) – contact Bill Schlotter (wschlott@slac.stanford.edu) or Joshua Turner (Joshuat@slac.stanford.edu)
• Diffraction studies of stimulated dynamics/X-ray Pump Probe (XPP) – contact Henrik Lemke (lemke@slac.stanford.edu) or Diling Zhu (dlzhu@slac.stanford.edu)
• Coherent X-ray Imaging (CXI) – contact Sebastien Boutet (sboutet@slac.stanford.edu) or Garth Williams (gjwillms@slac.stanford.edu)
• X-ray Correlation Spectroscopy (XCS) – contact Aymeric Robert (aymeric@slac.stanford.edu) or Marcin Sikorski (sikorski@SLAC.Stanford.EDU)
• Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) -- contact Hae Ja Lee (haelee@slac.stanford.edu) or Bob Nagler ( bnagler@slac.stanford.edu )
We have demonstrated FEL operations over the energy range 480 eV to 10 keV using the fundamental with pulse energies of 1-3 mJ depending on the pulse duration. In our continuing effort to push the LCLS operating parameters, we are working to extend the low-energy range down to 280 eV and hope to have this available for the run which begins in January 2013 (technical issues and feasibility may not known until later this year). Third harmonic radiation is available up to 25 keV at about 1% of the fundamental pulse energy. The pulse length can be varied from 40 fs to 300 fs for hard X-rays, while for soft X-rays the range is extended to 500 fs. Shorter pulses, <10 fs, with a reduced number of photons per pulse can also be provided. The maximum repetition rate of the LCLS is 120 Hz.
As you prepare your proposals for the July 10th deadline, also note that we expect to offer the option of the self-seeded mode in Run 7. Since January 2012, LCLS has been testing the use of a diamond crystal monochromator located part way down the FEL undulator to produce self-seeded pulses of hard X-rays. The tests have successfully demonstrated seeding of very short FEL pulses, though R&D is continuing. It is anticipated that self-seeded operation may be advantageous to some user experiments, and that by the beginning of Run 7 LCLS will be in a position to reliably offer self-seeded operation to users in an exploratory mode. In general, experiments that use the full bandwidth of the SASE FEL pulse can expect better machine reliability and significantly greater energy per pulse by continuing to operate in SASE (unseeded) mode. Also, seeded operation is not yet available for soft X-ray experiments. However, hard X-ray experiments (7.1-9.5 keV) that require the use of a crystal monochromator can expect increased energy per pulse in self-seeded mode. Currently the self-seeded mode is limited to unfocused X-ray beams (LCLS is working to address issues related to focused beams). Typical parameters for the self-seeded pulses are:
Photon energy: 7.1-9.5 keV
Fractional bandwidth: 1 x 10-4 (30 times smaller than the SASE bandwidth)
Maximum pulse energy: about 0.5 mJ (0.2 mJ typical)
Average pulse energy: 0.1 mJ
Shot-shot energy fluctuations: 100%
Pulse duration: < 50 fs
Expected tune-up time: 2-4 hrs
Updates to the LCLS proposal submission and review process are summarized here and on the proposals and policies webpages. Proposals must provide sufficient information to evaluate the impact, originality, need for LCLS, scientific risk, prior results, as well as technical feasibility. Proposal evaluation criteria include:
• Scientific Impact: Does proposal address a question that, if successfully answered by the proposed experiment, will have a strong impact either on the scientific field or technological area addressed by the research?
• Originality/New Scientific Field: If successful, does the proposal open a new field?
• Need for LCLS/Experimental Plans: To what extent is the LCLS critical for the success of this proposal? Can other techniques or facilities provide similar information about the scientific question.
• Scientific Risk: Evaluate the probability that the proposed research will yield significant new results.
• Prior Results: Evaluate success or progress of prior experiments.
• Feasibility: LCLS scientists conduct a preliminary technical feasibility review of submitted proposals.
Submit LCLS proposals through the user portal: https://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/URAWI/.
Provide a descriptive title of your proposed experiment that you would be willing to be made public if awarded beam time. Provide an abstract that concisely (less than 2,000 characters) summarizes the proposed experiment, quantities to be measured, samples to be studied, expected scientific results and impact. The more detailed proposal text is limited to 6 pages in PDF format and should include the following information (include the spokesperson’s name in the upper right hand corner of each page):
1. Experimental Team: In a table, list the names, institution, email address, and roles of each per-son who would participate in the proposed experiment (e.g., sample prep, theory, data collection, data analysis). This section could also briefly mention directly-relevant previous work done by the team members.
2. Scientific Case: Briefly explain the background and significance of your experiment. In particular, why is LCLS required for this experiment? Itemize the specific aims and particular questions you want to answer. Focus on the specific experiment and avoid broad discussions in general terms.
3. Experimental Procedure: Provide specific information so that the feasibility of this experiment at the requested LCLS instrument can be evaluated. Tell us if you plan or have carried out sup-porting experiments at other facilities. Have simulations of the experiment been performed? What are the anticipated data rates? Provide a beam time plan, indicating what could be accomplished in less than 1 week (approximately 60 hours of beam time). Describe any additional equipment you plan to bring to LCLS for the experiment.
4. Technical Feasibility: Proposals must contain sufficient information for the LCLS to review the proposal for technical feasibility. This information should include:
•Equipment
• Which elements of the proposed instrument do you require for the proposal?
• What additional equipment is needed, including laser, detector, sample delivery/environment, temperature, pressure, etc?
• How do you plan to provide/organize the additional equipment?
• Parameters
• Describe X-ray wavelength, pulse energy, bandwidth, beam size, repetition rate, pulse duration.
• If laser is required, describe laser wavelength, pulse energy, bandwidth, beam size, repetition rate, pulse duration, timing, geometry.
• Experimental protocol
• Describe the experimental geometry.
• Calculate the expected signal rate/background
• Describe samples and concentrations, sample preparation and storage.
• Describe local facilities that may be required.
•In addition, a separate questionnaire might be required for some of the instruments.
5. Progress Report: A 1-page progress report must be submitted to LCLS Proposal Administrator (nbrown@slac.stanford.edu) for each proposal that has previously received LCLS beam time. Each progress report must include proposal number, date of experiment, instrument used, a brief summary of how experiment time was used, if experiment was successful and how results were disseminated (list talks presented, papers in press or published, awards or special recognition). Proposals teams are encouraged to coordinate their progress reports so that only one report is submitted by the team and that appropriate updates are received by the LCLS Proposal Administrator before the next proposal submission deadline. Additional proposals will not be considered by the PRP if the progress reports for previous experiments have not been provided at least 1 week before the scheduled PRP meeting date. NOTE: User publications are extremely important in demonstrating the scientific impact of LCLS. Proposal teams must inform and acknowledge LCLS and the DOE Office of Science in presentations and publications using this template: "Portions of this research were carried out at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. LCLS is an Office of Science User Facility operated for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science by Stanford University."
6. Addenda: The proposal team may submit addenda to their proposal (limited to one-half page) which briefly describes new information that becomes available after the proposal was submit-ted. The addenda must be consistent with the original scope of the proposal and must be sent to the Proposal Administrator at least one week before the scheduled Proposal Review Panel (PRP) meeting. LCLS management will determine if the supplemental information meets the criteria to forward such material to the PRP. Note that there is no longer any provision for additional supporting information. All information (e.g., graphics, instrument descriptions) needs to be contained within the 6 page limit.
* Safety related documents must be submitted during the safety management portion of the LCLS proposal submission process. List and describe any safety concerns that may arise with samples you will examine, equipment you will use, or techniques you will perform (including any physical, chemical or biological hazards) and how these issues will be addressed in the experiment design.
The proposal process and proposal guidelines are described at the LCLS web site http://lcls.slac.stanford.edu/user/ and user portal https://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/URAWI . We recommend that scientists intending to submit proposals contact LCLS instrument scientists and familiarize themselves with instruments, capabilities, proposal requirements and mechanics of the submission process well in advance of the proposal deadline.
Proposals must be submitted before 4 PM (Pacific) on Tuesday, July 10, 2012.
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