HZB Guide for beamtime application
A clearly written proposal for an experiment at HZB can greatly increase the chances that the Scientific Selection Panel will recommend your application for beamtime allocation. In the following you will find hints and tips on writing the perfect proposal.
In general, one scientifc proposal might use several HZB facilities. Before you write your proposal, we advise you to contact HZB instrument scientists/station managers to talk about your experiments. They can help you to decide on the most suitable instrument, additional equipment and the amount of time you will need. It might be helpful to include the instrument scientist/station manager as co-proposer (please discuss this in advance with the respective scientist). Thus they would be able to read the proposal online and check if the technical requirements can be fulfilled before the final submission.
Continuation proposals have to be accompanied by an experimental report.
Submitting proposals
Proposals must be submitted using the online proposal system GATE.
All intended co-proposers must be registered in GATE. A proposal can be entered over several sessions and you can save partially completed proposals. Editing of your proposal is possible until the deadline for submissions.
New users must register their details in the online proposal system to receive an account before being able to submit a proposal. You can view and modify your personal details at any time. If you have any questions about the online proposal system, please contact the the Beamtime Coordinators.
Scientific part
The heart of your proposal is the science case. This must be written in English and be no longer than one page of A4 paper. In the scientific part you should adress the following topics:
- Scientific context
You should give a clear account of the aims of the experiment and set it within the broader scientific context. Keep in mind that not all review panel members are experts in the field. List the 5 most important publications in this field of science in order to show that you are aware of the work of others. - Necessity of neutrons/synchrotron radiation use
Explain why neutrons or synchrotron radiation are needed. - Choice of specific instrument/station
Give reasons for your choice of instrument. Justify why you need to use this particular instrument and why HZB is important. - Prelimiary work
Where possible, give results of preliminary work carried out, (for example, NMR or light scattering experiments) in support of your proposed experiment and to demonstrate sample quality.
Technical part
In the technical part you define the experimental parameters of your proposed experiment. You should choose the appropriate instrument and the desired sample environment or experimental station. Please note that not all sample environment equipment or experimental stations are available for all instruments. It is advisable to check your requirements with the sample environment team or instrument scientists/station managers in advance. If you want to apply for more than one instrument you must submit a separate technical requirement for each instrument.
Bringing your own equipment
Besides complying with general safety rules of a large laboratory, potential users must ensure that the measuring equipment also fulfils certain requirements which depend, at least in part, on the beamline used. Most importantly, measuring stations at BESSY II have to be operated under such conditions that an impairment of the beamline and storage ring vacuum is prevented. In general, this means the station itself runs under ultra high vacuum conditions.
If you intend to bring your own equipment to HZB, please contact the instrument scientist in advance.
Experimental plan
Give a detailed description of the experiment, including sample and parameter changes. You should justify the amount of beamtime you asked for in the technical part.
List the number of samples and sample environment conditions (for example, temperatures, pressures, magnetic fields...) and estimate the measuring time for each sample, or sample condition, to show how you calculated the overall beamtime requirements. For a complex series of experiments, please show how you reach your final beamtime request. Also include any time needed for equipment set-up and sample equilibration. Ask the sample environment group or the instrument scientist/station manager for help if needed.
Example:2 samples at 3 pressures and 4 temperatures for 5 hours each = 2 x 3 x 4 x 5 = 120 hours of beamtime
Samples
Describe the samples you intend to meassure and address relevant safety issues.
Previous results
Supply a list of recent publications from work at HZB as well as Experimental Reports related to experiments which are connected to the new beamtime application. As well as giving supporting information for your proposal, a good track record of publications following HZB experiments can increase the success of your proposal.
Note: The Experimental Reports must have been submitted via GATE before they can be attached to the beamtime application.
You will need a 24 hour team
If your proposal is successful, you are responsible for arranging for a competent research team to be at HZB on a 24 hour basis for the duration of your beamtime.
More information on the responsibilities of a main proposer
Safety
It is important that you give accurate information about the safety of the samples and the safety of the proposed experiment. Failure to give correct information could delay the start of your experiment.
For your information
The following information on successful proposals will appear on the HZB webpages:
- proposal number
- group affiliation
- instrument
- days allocated
