The+Advanced+Light+Source


 * [[image:ALS-buildingview.jpg width="230" height="152" align="right"]] Welcome to (a Dec 2013 archive of) our page about the Advanced Light Source (ALS), a division of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. **
 * ** note that some links have been disabled to maintain student privacy **

"The ALS is a national user facility that generates intense light for scientific and technological research. As one of the world's brightest sources of ultraviolet and soft x-ray beams--and the world's first third-generation light source in its energy range - the ALS makes previously impossible studies possible."

Beamline 8.3.2 does **Hard X-Ray Microtomography,** sometimes referred to as MicroCT (C = computer). Basically, scientists can use X-rays to create cross-sections of a 3D-object that later can be used to recreate a virtual model on a computer (or 3D printer!) without destroying the original model
 * **Hard X-ray** = xrays are found on the electromagnetic spectrum, with "hard" xrays (closer to the gamma ray side) having more energy than so-called "soft xrays" (closer to the UV side) The ALS is well-known for its ability to use soft X-rays.
 * **Micro** = the pixel sizes of the cross-sections are in the micrometer range (not millimeters or nanometers)
 * **Tomography** = imaging by sections or sectioning, through the use of any kind of penetrating wave, like x-rays



Here are some links we discussed in class:

 * link to the presentation, Inside the ALS (Thanks, Ethan (8th), for all your work on this!)
 * link to Google Doc, 13-14 BPC ALS Experiment Sign-Up (plus a spot to ask the beamline scientist your questions)
 * Videos:
 * Science in Action: The Advanced Light Source
 * Using X-rays to look inside a sample at the 8.3.2 Microtomography Beamline (and the other 8.3.2 video)
 * Animated ALS (gotta love that soundtrack...)

Here are some links we will discuss in class:

 * Who uses the ALS?
 * The process of applying for beamtime
 * General User Proposals - ALS official and BPC version (make a copy & link off 13-14 BPC ALS Experiment Sign-Up doc)
 * Proposal Writing Guidelines and Scoring Criteria - ALS official & BPC version. PIs and experimental leads will find it helpful to address each of these aspects in their proposals:
 * **Scientific merit** - what is the significance of your proposal to science? Why do it?
 * **Technical feasibility** - How likely is it that the proposal will succeed?
 * **Capability of the experimental group** - Does the group have a track record of good science and expertise?
 * **Availability of the resources required** - Are the resources available and able to be fixed accordingly?


 * General User Proposal scores (official)

Here are some extra links in case you would like to learn more:

 * You can visit the ALS main website to learn more about the different beamlines, research that is done at the ALS, and more.
 * For more information on Beamline 8.3.2 (hard x-ray microtomography), visit its web page
 * The ALS Micro-CT YouTube Channel
 * ALS Flickr site - I recommend the "Around the ALS" set - there's even a picture of Dula Parkinson, 8.3.2 beamline scientist there!
 * You can even make your own paper-version of the ALS :)