Chi-Chang's Corner

Learning, Collaborating with the World's Synchrotrons

December 18, 2008

Chi-Chang Kao
NSLS Department Chair
kao@bnl.gov

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Lately, I've had the chance to interact with scientific leaders from synchrotrons around the world, which has allowed for valuable comparisons between our facilities and discussion about opportunities for future collaborations.

Earlier this month, we hosted a group of visitors, from the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), including the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The group heard about developments at the NSLS and NSLS-II and discussed ideas for future partnerships between SSRF, a recently completed third-generation light source, and BNL. In early November, I traveled to Jordan for the inauguration of the UNESCO-sponsored project Synchrotron Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME). We're currently exploring the idea of transferring beamlines from the NSLS to SESAME and hosting long-term training visits by SESAME staff, as well as encouraging collaborations between Middle East scientists and NSLS staff. I also recently traveled to SPring-8, in Japan, as part of its academic review. One of the most impressive achievements of that facility is its ability to attract industrial users: almost 20 percent of SPring-8's public beamline beam time is used by companies. As we work to expand industrial usage at the NSLS, we're trying to learn from their valuable experience.

The accelerators and storage rings are currently shut down through the holidays as we complete a wide range of activities, including maintenance work on NSLS cooling water, compressed air, RF and power systems, Linac modulators, X17 cryogenic systems, and the booster vacuum ion pumps. Installation of a booster-to-x-ray septum trim magnet will provide more freedom to steer the beam to the X-Ray Ring and improve our transfer efficiency. Two new booster-to-VUV kicker magnet drivers also are being installed. These new components eliminate a critical vulnerability pointed out in the Machine Operations Reliability Review (MORE) in 2006. In addition, our RF Group is installing a solid-state 3kW amplifier in system 3. Other ongoing activities include the installation of the remaining components needed to complete the new X9 beamline, installation of a new HEPA-filtered external exhaust system for catalysis and nanoscience work at beamlines X18, X19, X21, and X22, and installation and alignment of new variable-groove-depth VUV grating at beamline U5UA. Both the X-Ray and VUV rings are scheduled to return to operations in early- to mid-January.

During the last Users' Executive Committee (UEC) meeting, held on November 13, we covered lots of ground related to the transition to NSLS-II. In particular, discussion focused on how the current UEC can effectively represent the interests of future NSLS-II users. Numerous ideas were presented, and John Parise, the current UEC chair, will work with NSLS and NSLS-II management to develop a formal framework for this.

I'd also like to point you to a new way that we're trying to address users' concerns. Please take a minute to look at the eNews article highlighting the recent End-of-Run survey results and the associated follow-up actions taken. This new, recurring feature will allow users who submit anonymous comments to find out what, if any, changes have come from their feedback. We also hope that it will help identify common concerns. If you have suggestions on how to make this feature more helpful, please contact Kathleen Nasta, User Administrator/Information & Outreach Coordinator (ext. 7114).

Congratulations to Pete Siddons, leader of the NSLS Experimental Systems Detectors Section, who was recently named a fellow of the American Physical Society, along with three other BNL physicists. Pete has worked at the NSLS since 1985, transforming his innovative ideas into advanced optics and detector systems for our facility and synchrotrons around the world.

Finally, a team of researchers from Queen's University has revealed how the enzyme calpain, which is involved in causing tissue damage after heart attacks and strokes, is kept under control. Using x-ray diffraction data collected at NSLS beamline X6A, the scientists showed how another protein, calpastatin, binds and blocks calpain once it has been activated. This is valuable information for those involved in designing drugs to protect against the damage caused by over-activation of calpain. You can read more in this edition of eNews.

I hope everyone has a very safe and happy holiday season and New Year.