March 31, 2009

X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Training Pilot Program

A new pilot program targeting users who are new to performing experiments using x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) techniques is underway at the NSLS. Created in September 2008, the working group, led by Scott Calvin (Sarah Lawrence College), includes dedicated users Faisal Alamgir (Georgia Institute of Technology), Anatoly Frenkel (Yeshiva University), Syed Khalid (NSLS), and Bruce Ravel (NIST). Web support is provided by Steve Giordano (NSLS), and video and sound assistance by Alex Reben (BNL). The goals of the program are to provide training and education to novice users in order to help them design an effective and appropriate proposal, allow them to make efficient and successful use of their beam time, and assure that they develop the necessary skills to analyze and interpret their data. It is further hoped that the model developed for XAFS training can be extended to other techniques utilized at the NSLS, and that materials can be adapted for use by other synchrotron facilities and universities, including members of the NSLS Historically Black Colleges and Universities consortium.

The project is divided into three major phases. It starts with an XAFS online orientation, which will amount to about an hour of training – tailored to the needs of the particular user – in formulating their problem, creating an experimental protocol, preparing samples, collecting data, and applying for beam time. After a user completes this orientation, s/he can then move on to the online course modules, designed as stand-alone modules on particular topics, and serving as preparation for a "live" course. Examples might include "evaluating data quality," "introduction to data reduction," and "Fourier transforms." The final phase will be a short introductory course to be offered a few times per year at the NSLS.

Testing of the first phase, the online orientation, has begun so that it can be made available to all users in the spring. If you would like to assist the working group with the testing of the online orientation, or if you have any comments or questions about the project, please contact Kathleen Nasta (Information, Outreach, and User Administrator).