BES User Facilities

As part of its mission, the Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) plans, constructs, and operates major scientific user facilities (listed below) to serve researchers from universities, national laboratories, and industry. These facilities enable the acquisition of new knowledge that often cannot be obtained by any other means. In the last year, over 9,500 scientists conducted experiments at BES user facilities. Thousands of other researchers collaborate with these users and analyze the data from the experiments at the facilities to publish new scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals. BES facilities brochures are also available.

SYNCHROTRON RADIATION LIGHT SOURCES -- Brief Descriptions --

National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL) at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in Stanford, CA

Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA

Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, IL

Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) - a proposed facility at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in Stanford, CA

HIGH-FLUX NEUTRON SOURCES -- Brief Descriptions --
High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) Center for Neutron Scattering at ORNL in Oak Ridge, TN
Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC; for production of transcurium elements for research)
Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, IL
Manuel Lujan Jr. Neutron Scattering Center (Lujan Center) at Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM
Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) - new facility under construction at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

ELECTRON BEAM MICROCHARACTERIZATION CENTERS -- Brief Descriptions --
Center for Microanalysis of Materials (CMM) at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, IL
Electron Microscopy Center for Materials Research (EMCMR) at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, IL
National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA
Shared Research Equipment (SHaRE) Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN

NANOSCALE SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS (under design or construction) -- Brief Descriptions --

Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN

Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA

Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies at Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory

Center for Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY

Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, IL

SPECIALIZED SINGLE-PURPOSE CENTERS -- Brief Descriptions --

Combustion Research Facility (CRF) at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, CA

Materials Preparation Center (MPC) at Ames Laboratory in Ames, IA

Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN

The National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory is among the largest and most diverse scientific user facilities in the world. The NSLS, commissioned in 1982, has consistently operated at >95% reliability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with scheduled periods for maintenance and machine studies. Adding to its breadth is the fact that the NSLS consists of two distinct electron storage rings. The x-ray storage ring is 170 meters in circumference and can accommodate 60 beamlines or experimental stations, and the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) storage ring can provide 25 additional beamlines around its circumference of 51 meters. Synchrotron light from the x-ray ring is used to determine the atomic structure of materials using diffraction, absorption, and imaging techniques. Experiments at the VUV ring help solve the atomic and electronic structure as well as the magnetic properties of a wide array of materials. These data are fundamentally important to virtually all of the physical and life sciences as well as providing immensely useful information for practical applications. The petroleum industry, for example, uses the NSLS to develop new catalysts for refining crude oil and making by-products like plastics.

The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL) at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) was built in 1974 to take and use for synchrotron studies the intense x-ray beams from the SPEAR storage ring that was built for particle physics by the SLAC laboratory. Over the years, the SSRL grew to be one of the main innovators in the production and use of synchrotron radiation with the development of wigglers and undulators that form the basis of all third-generation synchrotron sources. In FY 2002, the facility was comprised of 24 beam lines (31 endstations) and was used by over 1,000 researchers from industry, government laboratories and universities. These include astronomers, biologists, chemical engineers, chemists, electrical engineers, environmental scientists, geologists, materials scientists, and physicists. The BES Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering supports a research program at SSRL with emphasis in both the x-ray and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. SSRL scientists are experts in photoemission studies of high-temperature superconductors and in x-ray scattering. The SPEAR 3 upgrade at SSRL will provide major improvements that will increase the brightness of the ring for all experimental stations.

The Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, began operations in October 1993 and now serves over 1,300 users as one of the world's brightest sources of high-quality, reliable vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) light and long-wavelength (soft) x-rays. Soft x-rays and VUV light are used by the researchers at the ALS as high-resolution tools for probing the electronic and magnetic structure of atoms, molecules, and solids, such as those for high-temperature superconductors. The high brightness and coherence of the ALS light are particularly suited for soft x-ray imaging of biological structures, environmental samples, polymers, magnetic nanostructures, and other inhomogeneous materials. Other uses of the ALS include holography, interferometry and the study of molecules adsorbed on solid surfaces. The pulsed nature of the ALS light offers special opportunities for time resolved research, such as the dynamics of chemicalreactions. Shorter wavelength (intermediate-energy) x-rays are also used at structural biology experimental stations for x-ray crystallography and x-ray spectroscopy of proteins and other important biological macromolecules. The ALS is a growing facility with a lengthening portfolio of beamlines that have already been applied to make important discoveries in a wide variety of scientific disciplines.

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory is one of only three third-generation, hard x-ray synchrotron radiation light sources in the world. Dedicated in 1996, the construction project was completed five months ahead of schedule and for less than the budget. The 7 GeV hard x-ray light source has since met or exceeded all technical specifications. For example, the APS is 10 times more brilliant than its original specifications and the vertical stability of the particle beam is three times better than its design goal. The 1,104-meter circumference facility -- large enough to house a baseball park in its center -- includes 34 bending magnets and 34 insertion devices, which generate a capacity of 68 beamlines for experimental research. Instruments on these beamlines attract researchers to study the structure and properties of materials in a variety of disciplines, including condensed matter physics, materials sciences, chemistry, geosciences, structural biology, medical imaging, and environmental sciences. The high-quality, reliable x-ray beams at the APS have already brought about new discoveries in materials structure.

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) is a proposed facility that will provide laser-like radiation in the x-ray region of the spectrum that is 10 billion times greater in peak power and peak brightness than any existing coherent x-ray light source. The SLAC linac will provide high-current, low-emittance 5�15 GeV electron bunches at a 120 Hz repetition rate. A newly constructed long undulator will bunch the electrons, leading to self-amplification of the emitted x-ray radiation, constituting the x-ray FEL. The availability of the SLAC linac for the LCLS Project creates a unique opportunity (worldwide) for demonstration and use of x-ray FEL radiation.

The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a light-water cooled and moderated reactor that began full-power operations in 1966 at the design power level of 100 megawatts. Currently, HFIR operates at 85 megawatts to provide state-of-the-art facilities for neutron scattering, materials irradiation, and neutron activation analysis and is the world's leading source of elements heavier than plutonium for research, medicine, and industrial applications. The neutron-scattering experiments at the HFIR Center for Neutron Scattering reveal the structure and dynamics of a very wide range of materials. The neutron-scattering instruments installed on the four horizontal beam tubes are used in fundamental studies of materials of interest to solid-state physicists, chemists, biologists, polymer scientists, metallurgists, and colloid scientists. Recently, a number of improvements at HFIR have increased its neutron scattering capabilities to 14 state-of-the-art neutron scattering instruments on the world�s brightest beams of steady-state neutrons. These upgrades include the installation of larger beam tubes and shutters, a high-performance liquid hydrogen cold source, and neutron scattering instrumentation. The new installation of the cold source provides beams of cold neutrons for scattering research that are as bright as any in the world. Use of these forefront instruments by researchers from universities, industries, and government laboratories are granted on the basis of scientific merit. The Radiochemical Engineering Development Center, located adjacent to HFIR, provides unique capabilities for the processing, separation, and purification of transplutonium elements.

The Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) at Argonne National Laboratory is a 30 Hz short-pulsed spallation neutron source that first operated all instruments in the user mode in 1981. Twelve neutron beam lines serve 14 instruments, one of which is a test station for instrument development. Distinguishing characteristics of IPNS include its innovative instrumentation and source technology and its dedication to serving the users. The first generation of virtually every pulsed source neutron scattering instrument was developed at IPNS. In addition, the source and moderator technologies developed at IPNS, including uranium targets, liquid hydrogen and methane moderators, solid methane moderators, and decoupled reflectors, have impacted spallation sources worldwide. A recent BESAC review of this facility described it as a �reservoir of expertise with a track record of seminal developments in source and pulsed source instruments second to none� and noted that ANL is �fully committed from top to bottom to supporting the user program.� This is reflected by a large group of loyal, devoted users. Research at IPNS is conducted on the structure of high-temperature superconductors, alloys, composites, polymers, catalysts, liquids and non-crystalline materials, materials for advanced energy technologies, and biological materials. The staff of the IPNS is taking a leadership role in the design and construction of instrumentation for the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Manuel Lujan Jr. Neutron Scattering Center (Lujan Center) at Los Alamos National Laboratory provides an intense pulsed source of neutrons to a variety of spectrometers for neutron scattering studies. The Lujan Center features instruments for measurement of high-pressure and high-temperature samples, strain measurement, liquid studies, and texture measurement. The facility has a long history and extensive experience in handling actinide samples. A 30 Tesla magnet is also available for use with neutron scattering to study samples in high-magnetic fields. The Lujan Center is part of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), which is comprised of a high-power 800-MeV proton linear accelerator, a proton storage ring, production targets to the Lujan Center and the Weapons Neutron Research facility, and a variety of associated experiment areas and spectrometers for national security research and civilian research.

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) under construction at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will provide a next-generation short-pulse spallation neutron source for neutron scattering. The SNS will be used by researchers from academia, national labs, and industry for basic and applied research and for technology development in the fields of condensed matter physics, materials sciences, magnetic materials, polymers and complex fluids, chemistry, biology, and engineering. It is anticipated that the facility will be used by 1,000-2,000 scientists and engineers annually and that it will meet the Nation's need for neutron science capabilities well into the next century. When completed in 2006, the SNS will be more than ten times as powerful as the best spallation neutron source now in existence -- ISIS at the Rutherford Laboratory in England. The SNS project is an interlaboratory collaboration involving five DOE laboratories—Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This collaboration is a first-of-its-kind effort for a project of this magnitude.

The Center for Microanalysis of Materials is a user-oriented and user-friendly facility that provides the modern analytical capabilities essential to today's materials research efforts. The Center is located in the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Center emphasizes the microstructural and microchemical composition of materials; chemistry and electronics of surfaces; crystal structures; phase transitions and defect structures of materials; the relationship between structure and properties of solids. By using the center's services, materials researchers from academe and from industry can access 20 major instruments in the areas of electron microscopy, surface microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, and back-scattering spectroscopies. The breadth of instrumentation available through the center enables researchers to find the best instrumentation techniques for their specific needs.

The Electron Microscopy Center for Materials Research (EMCMR) at Argonne National Laboratory provides in-situ, high-voltage and intermediate voltage, high-spatial resolution electron microscope capabilities for direct observation of ion-solid interactions during irradiation of samples with high-energy ion beams. The EMC employs both a tandem accelerator and an ion implanter in conjunction with a transmission electron microscope for simultaneous ion irradiation and electron beam microcharacterization. It is the only instrumentation of its type in the Western Hemisphere. The unique combination of two ion accelerators and an electron microscope permits direct, real-time, in-situ observation of the effects of ion bombardment of materials and consequently attracts users from around the world.

The National Center for Electron Microscopy at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provides instrumentation for high-resolution, electron-optical microcharacterization of atomic structure and composition of metals, ceramics, semiconductors, superconductors, and magnetic materials. This facility contains one of the highest resolution electron microscopes in the U.S.

The Shared Research Equipment (SHaRE) Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory makes available state-of-the-art electron beam microcharacterization facilities for collaboration with researchers from universities, industry and other government laboratories. Most SHaRE projects seek correlations at the microscopic or atomic scale between structure and properties in a wide range of metallic, ceramic, and other structural materials. A diversity of research projects has been conducted, such as the characterization of magnetic materials, catalysts, semiconductor device materials, high Tc superconductors, and surface-modified polymers. Analytical services (service microscopy) which can be purchased from commercial laboratories are not possible through SHaRE. The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education manages the SHaRE program.

The Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will establish a research center and user facility that will integrate nanoscale science research with neutron science, synthesis science, and theory/modeling/simulation. A new building will provide state-of-the-art clean rooms, general laboratories, wet and dry laboratories for sample preparation, fabrication and analysis. Included will be equipment to synthesize, manipulate, and characterize nanoscale materials and structures. The facility, which will be collocated with the Spallation Neutron Source complex, will house over 100 research scientists and an additional 100 students and postdoctoral fellows. The CNMS�s major scientific thrusts will be in nano-dimensioned soft materials, complex nanophase materials systems, and the crosscutting areas of interfaces and reduced dimensionality that become scientifically critical on the nanoscale. A major focus of the CNMS will be to exploit ORNL�s unique capabilities in neutron scattering.

The Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) will use existing LBNL facilities such as the Advanced Light Source, the National Center for Electron Microscopy, and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center. The facility will provide laboratories for materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, and molecular biology. State-of-the-art equipment will include clean rooms, controlled environmental rooms, scanning tunneling microscopes, atomic force microscopes, transmission electron microscope, fluorescence microscopes, mass spectrometers, DNA synthesizer and sequencer, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, ultrahigh vacuum scanning-probe microscopes, photo, uv, and e-beam lithography equipment, peptide synthesizer, advanced preparative and analytical chromatographic equipment, and cell culture facilities.

The Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT) will focus on exploring the path from scientific discovery to the integration of nanostructures into the micro- and macro-worlds. This path involves experimental and theoretical exploration of behavior, understanding new performance regimes and concepts, testing designs, and integrating nanoscale materials and structures. CINT focus areas are nanophotonics and nanoelectronics, complex functional nanomaterials, nanomechanics, and the nanoscale/bio/microscale interfaces. CINT will be jointly administered by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Sandia National Laboratories. This Center will make use of a wide range of specialized facilities including the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at LANL.

The Center for Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven National Laboratory will have as its focus understanding the chemical and physical response of nanomaterials to make functional materials such as sensors, activators, and energy-conversion devices. The facility will use existing facilities such as the National Synchrotron Light Source and the Laser Electron Accelerator facility. It will also provide clean rooms, general laboratories, and wet and dry laboratories for sample preparation, fabrication, and analysis. Equipment will include that needed for laboratory and fabrication facilities for e-beam lithography, transmission electron microscopy, scanning probes and surface characterization, material synthesis and fabrication, and spectroscopy.

The Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Laboratory will have as its focus research in advanced magnetic materials, complex oxides, nanophotonics, and bio-inorganic hybrids. An x-ray nanoprobe beam line at the Advanced Photon Source will be fabricated and run by the Center for use by its users. The facility will use existing facilities such as the Advanced Photon Source, the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source, and the Electron Microscopy Center. The State of Illinois is providing in FY 2003 and FY 2004 a total of $36,000,000 for construction of the building, which is appended to the Advanced Photon Source. BES will provide funding for clean rooms and specialized equipment as well as the operations following commissioning.

The Combustion Research Facility at Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California, is an internationally recognized facility for the study of combustion science and technology. In-house efforts combine theory, modeling, and experiment including diagnostic development, kinetics, and dynamics. Several innovative non-intrusive optical diagnostics such as degenerate four-wave mixing, cavity ring-down spectroscopies, high resolution optical spectroscopy, and ion-imaging techniques have been developed to characterize combustion intermediates. Basic research supported by the BES Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences is often done in close collaboration with applied problems. A principal effort in turbulent combustion is coordinated among the BES chemical physics program, and programs in Fossil Energy and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Ames Laboratory is home to the Materials Preparation Center (MPC), which is dedicated to the preparation, purification, and characterization of rare-earth, alkaline-earth, and refractory metal and oxide materials. Established in 1981, the MPC is a one-of-a-kind resource that provides scientists at university, industrial, and government laboratories with research and developmental quantities of high-purity materials and unique analytical and characterization services that are not available from commercial suppliers. The MPC is renowned for its technical expertise in alloy design and for creating materials that exhibit ultrafine microstructures, high strength, magnetism, and high conductivity. The MPC also operates the Materials Referral System and Hotline, where users may obtain free information from a database of over 2,500 expert sources for the preparation and characterization of a wide variety of commercial materials and research samples.

The research facilities within the Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame are based on three electron accelerators operating in the 2 to 8 million electron volt (MeV) range. They are fully instrumented for computerized acquisition of data on radiation chemical intermediates. Photochemistry is conducted with a number of laser flash photolysis assemblies, with time resolution in the nanosecond and picosecond ranges.