How do I get Beamtime at NE-CAT?

  1. All beam time at NE-CAT is distributed through the APS General User Proposal (GUP) System.  If you do not have an active proposal, then you will need to submit a General User Proposal and then submit a Beam Time Request (BTR) on the proposal.  To collect data at NE-CAT, you must specifically request 24-ID-C and/or 24-ID-E as your 1st and 2nd choice beamlines and uncheck the "any appropriate beamline" check box in the BTR.  You cannot share BTRs between different sectors (NE-CAT is sector 24). A GUP is good for 2 years, but it is necessary for you to submit a BTR for each APS run that you desire beam time. Please see How to Apply for APS Beamtime for more information and to check proposal deadlines. 
  2. Once you have submitted a BTR, NE-CAT will claim the BTR and you will be contacted by Cyndi Salbego to schedule time or you may proactively contact her. Both NE-CAT beamlines have 2 shifts per day: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (day), 7:00 PM - 9:00 AM (night).  Other scheduling options are available on a case-by-case basis.
  3. You will need to obtain site access in order to collect data on-site or remotely.
  4. You will need to file an Experimental Safety Form (ESAF) listing all your actual samples and all the members of the group.

PDFs with instructions on how to submit a new GUP, how to copy an existing GUP, or request beam time on an existing proposal, see below.