General User Policy

  1. General Users are responsible to make sure that they are current in all mandatory APS training requirements and have on-site access. APS training must be completed before coming to the beamline.
  2. General Users should follow the mandatory APS dress code (no open-toe shoes, no shorts, no exposed legs).
  3. General Users should read in advance the operation manual for their specific beamline.
  4. It is user’s responsibility to ensure that all ESAF information have been entered.
  5. All participants from a group must arrive at the start of the time slot for coordinated training at the beamline. The group spokesperson should promptly inform the beam line administrator of any possible delays in arrival. Any beam time cancellation notices should be given at least two weeks before the beam time.
  6. The users are solely responsible for timely arrival at the beamline of all shipped materials, e.g., sample shipping Dewars. The users should prepare the return FedEx label.
  7. Each group must send at least two personnel (of which at least one must have prior experience in using synchrotron beamlines) for the entire time slot. Inexperienced users may not operate the beam line alone. Single person operation, except for short periods of time, will be strongly discouraged. If any damage is caused to the beamline components due to improper handling the cost of repair or procurement will be charged to the users. If it is absolutely necessary for a single person to be operating the beamline, that person should notify in advance the NE-CAT support personnel as well as the floor coordinator.
  8. Cryopuck tools, cryo-dewars and stereo zoom microscopes are available. Any special request for specific tools or use of the chemistry laboratory should be pre-arranged.
  9. ALS-Style Automounter-compatible bases and pins with length 18mm must be used.  Use of mounting arcs is not permitted. Propane frozen samples are not allowed nor are Yale mounts.
  10. Six Linux work stations are available for data processing and structure analysis. Commonly used software such as HKL2000, CCP4 suite, Solve/Resolve, ShelX suite, PHENIX, CNS, etc. are available. General users are not allowed to install or copy any software on the beamline computers. Users can bring their notebook computers to the beamline and connect them to the computer network. Static or DHCP IP numbers will be provided. MAC operating systems are not supported. Use of anti-theft locks for notebooks is highly recommended. 
  11. General Users are required to fill out a short “End of Run” summary form before they finish using the beamline. This form is used to summarize their experiments, their experience using the beam line, and providing any suggestions they may have for improvements.
  12. General Users are required to cooperate with beamline staff in writing a short summary on their projects that used NE-CAT beam lines for inclusion in NE-CAT’s annual report to our funding agency. 
  13. If the use of NE-CAT’s beamline results in a publication, the authors must include our grant information in the acknowledgement.