Dear SSRL Community,
SSRL is currently planning for the remainder of our 2020 run in the COVID-19 era. Despite the general suspension of most on-site activities as a result of the current shelter-in-place order, we have been operating SPEAR3 and a few beam line stations: BL12-1, BL12-2 and BL9-2 for macromolecular crystallography; BL4-2 for biological small-angle X-ray scattering; and BL6-2 for transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) studies – all in support of research to address the pandemic.
In the next phase, we plan to open a few additional beam lines to support user research. While many specifics are still unknown, we would like to share our current plans with our user community to facilitate planning for future experiments.
Our approach will be guided by the following points:
1. The health and safety of our staff, users and visitors is paramount.
2. We seek to maximize the scientific impact of SSRL.
3. Access to SLAC will likely be restricted for an extended period of time in order to comply with SLAC/DOE, county, state, city, and/or U.S. national health directives and travel restrictions.
4. Details of these restrictions are unpredictable, but will inevitably present challenges to the user program at SSRL.
5. Details of the remainder of the SSRL 2020 run schedule are currently being determined. We will seek to develop an initial run schedule in the next few weeks, taking into account the following:
i. User input: SSRL will be reaching out to spokespersons for each proposal that previously requested beam time for March-July 2020. We will seek input on the availability of samples, remote or mail-in abilities and other logistical constraints. As a second priority, SSRL will also reach out to spokespersons with active proposals.
ii. Additional experiments: COVID-19 research proposals will be given priority access. Users are invited to submit new COVID-19 related rapid access proposals.
iii Duration of experiments: Because of site access restrictions and the ES&H protocols associated with COVID-19, more time will be required for experimental setup and execution.
iv. Next call for proposals and extensions: We plan to maintain our existing deadlines to submit new proposals, extension requests and beam time requests.
6. For at least the next few months, SSRL will work to expand remote access/mail-in capabilities, allowing a proposal team to carry out experiments without on-site presence. We recognize that this is not ideal and may not be practical in some cases.
We are coordinating operations with other DOE light sources to facilitate continued availability of beam lines for COVID-19 and other user research. This may impact the SSRL operating schedule during the remainder of 2020.
As we move forward, we will continue to seek direction from DOE-BES and advice from advisory panels, including the SSRL Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).
Overall, there will be fewer experiments scheduled this run year. Proposed experiments that are not compatible with the current restrictions or are otherwise impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for a one-year proposal extension. There will also be an opportunity to submit new beam time requests in August for the 2021 user run that will resume in the fall.
Over the next few weeks, beam line staff will contact users who previously submitted beam time requests that were either canceled or not scheduled due to COVID-19. We will seek to better understand which experiments can be performed within the expected constraints. Please understand that this is still a dynamic situation, and things will inevitably change. SSRL is doing everything possible to continue to perform world class science and to ensure the health and safety of our staff and users.
Please let us know if you have any comments or questions.
Best wishes to all. Stay safe and healthy!
Paul McIntyre, SSRL Director
