The mail-in service is offered to everyone but is aimed at those with relatively 'basic' needs. The service began in April 2007 and, since then, has given good data to its many users. Each cycle, 25% of beamtime is allocated to mail-in service samples.

How it works

As a user you would make and package all samples in your laboratory and, when ready, send them to Sarah Poulton, BT1 mail-in service instrument scientist here at the NCNR. Sarah takes care of the samples and prepares them for neutron powder diffraction analysis.

All users must submit a proposal using the NIST IMS system and, once accepted, samples can be mailed to the address provided. Please be sure to indicate that you are requesting the mail-in service when submitting a proposal.

Once your beamtime has been allocated, Sarah Poulton will contact you (the user) and discuss your requirements for beamtime. With every sample the instrument scientists will do their best to give advice for the most appropriate conditions, use of the instrument and use of NCNR equipment as possible. At the end of discussions it is the user (you) who can make the final decision.

Advantages of using the mail-in service:

• Users do not have to make their own trip to the NCNR to bring samples
• Users do not have to sit at the instrument waiting and checking results
• Users can view data online - view current BT-1 plot and view current BT-1 status
• Within reason, users can use the expertise of the instrument scientist to design experiments.
• All BT-1 data is examined by the instrument scientist
• All correct data is converted to an appropriate format (standard is .gsas files for use with data refinement) and emailed to the user. Various other data file conversions are also available.
• Samples can be stored at the NCNR with the appropriate instrument scientist until the user requests them for further experimental work OR users can request their return.
• Users can requests samples to be returned at any point and the instrument scientist will take care to unload the samples under, and into, appropriate conditions for packaging and return. As always samples will need time after requesting their return to measure any activity within the sample for safety of transportation. This will take at least one week.

Disadvantage of using the mail-in service:

• When running a sample the user will not be here at the instrument to make changes. While the instrument scientist will work to give the best results, if something unexpected occurs with the sample or the equipment during beamtime, the instrument scientist may not be able to make the correct decision on how the user would like to adjust the experiment. While the user will still get results at the end of running they may not perfectly be as wanted. So if, as a user, you feel you have very specific experiment details which may be awkward to plan and maintain, it may not be the service for you. Contact the instrument scientist with questions.

If you are interested in using this service you can submit a proposal directly by clicking here. It is very important that you indicate in the proposal that you are requesting the mail-in service.

If you have questions about the service please contact the instrument scientist Sarah Poulton

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Additional Links:

NCNR Home Page.
NCNR Sample Environment Page.
Safety Guidelines for Working at the NCNR

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Last modified 06-November-2007