Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) is organized around six Divisions: Accelerator, Beam Line Systems, Operations, Materials Science, Chemistry & Catalysis, and Structural Molecular Biology, each divided into Departments and Groups. In addition, there are three Departments: Business & Administration, User Research Administration, and Safety with specific high-level responsibilities, reporting to the SSRL Director. Each unit plays a vital role in the research and development, operations, user support and safety, to advance SSRL’s capabilities in cutting-edge synchrotron radiation research.
A common responsibility for the Materials Science, Chemistry & Catalysis and Structural Molecular Biology Divisions is to develop new methodologies, end station instrumentation and other capabilities for their respective science, disseminate developments, train and support users, perform research and develop/submit proposals to funding agencies for SSRL-related science.
Chemistry/Catalysis Division
The Chemistry/Catalysis (CC) Division is responsible for the operation, maintenance and user support of the hard and tender x-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy and imaging beam lines for chemistry, catalysis, materials, environmental and biogeochemistry, and structural biology research. There is synergy with LCLS in the development of approaches to time-resolved spectroscopy. The DOE BES CSGB funded Co-ACCESS catalysis program is integrated into the Division. Some Division staff are part of the SSRL Structural Molecular Biology (SMB) Resource at SSRL
Materials Science Division
The Materials Science Division is responsible for the operation, maintenance and user support of the materials hard x-ray scattering, diffraction and imaging beam lines, and the soft x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scattering beam lines. There is significant focus on energy materials, correlated quantum materials and microelectronics materials research, interactions with SLAC Centers and with joint SLAC-Stanford Institutes and Centers.
Structural Molecular Biology Division
The Structural Molecular Biology (SMB) Division is responsible for the operation, maintenance and user support of the macromolecular crystallography and biological small/wide-angle x-ray scattering beam lines. The Division forms the DOE-BER/NIH-funded SSRL Structural Molecular Biology Resource at SSRL (together with the SMB XAS staff in the CC Division). There is synergy with LCLS in the development of approaches to micro- to nano-crystallography for their MFX station.
Accelerator Division
The Accelerator Division (AD) is responsible for the safety, operation and maintenance of the SSRL accelerator complex (SPEAR3 and injector) to meet delivery goals of the synchrotron beam of reliable performance and providing high-quality, stable beams. The Division develops new concepts and defines and leads accelerator improvement projects. The AD Departments/Groups include Accelerator Physics, Diagnostics & Instrumentation, Mechanical Systems, RF Systems, and Controls. The Division manages support for its responsibilities from SLAC Professional Centers through service level agreements.
Operations Division
The Operations Division includes three Departments/Groups, for Protection Systems, Computer Operations and Floor Operations. Protection Systems is responsible for SSRL’s machine and personnel protections systems, and Computer Operations for the SSRL network, including for beam lines and connectivity with SPEAR3, for systems management of beam line computers and for SSRL central data storage and compute servers. The primary user point-of-contacts - SSRL Floor Coordinators and Program Managers - reside within the Operations Division.
Beam Line Systems Division
The Beam Line Systems (BLS) Division is responsible for design, engineering, fabrication, installation and commissioning of all new beam line projects, and for upgrade of existing beam lines, including optics, beam transport systems, and end-station infrastructure. The Division provides operational support for the front-end and optics systems. The BLS Beam Line Electronics Group is responsible for beam line electronics and provides connectivity and integration with the SPEAR3 accelerator control system. The Mechanical Systems and Vacuum Groups provide support for beam lines and partially to the SPEAR3 accelerator. The Facilities Group supports SSRL and coordinates activities with SLAC Facilities & Operations.
User Services Department
The User Research Administration (URA) Department manages all administrative aspects and steps of the user program, from beam time proposal and review, to beam time schedules and user on-boarding. The URA performs user data base development and maintenance, tracks user processes and develops and maintains required performance metrics. The Department also manages the planning and execution of the SSRL/LCLS Annual Users’ Meeting and workshops, and supports the SSRL User Organization Executive Committee and the Proposal Review Panels. It is significantly involved in outreach activities.
Safety Department
The Safety Department is responsible for carrying out SSRL’s ES&H program, in close coordination with SLAC’s ES&H Division and their subject matter experts. The SSRL safety staff are in charge of the user safety program, monitor beam time proposals, sample shipments, sample handling, and equipment, and interaction with user groups. They provide expertise to SSRL management, staff and users, following SLAC’s Integrated Safety and Environmental Management System (ISEMS) and Work Planning and Control (WPC) approaches. They coordinate interactions with SLAC’s ES&H.
Business/Administration Department
The Business & Administration Department handles all SSRL financial, human resources, and general administrative functions. Business activities include processes for budgeting, accounting, forecasting, internal and external reporting, submission of research proposals, procurement, and time keeping. Several of these functions interact with the SLAC Business Services Division (BSD). Administration activities include support for the Directorate and scientific / operations staff, visitors and guests, travel, human resources (interfacing with the SLAC HR organization) and workshop and conference planning.