| Space-Age Ceramics Get Their Toughest Test |
 Advanced ceramic composites can withstand the ultrahigh operating temperatures of jet and gas-turbine engines, but analysis of these materials at such temperatures has been a challenge. Now, a testing facility at Beamline 8.3.2 enables microtomography of ceramic composites under controlled loads at temperatures above 1600°C. Read more and watch a video about this research...Contact: Rob Ritchie |
| Flipping Photoelectron Spins in Topological Insulators |
 Inherently strange crystalline materials called 3D topological insulators (TIs) are a hot topic in materials science. Now, scientists working at ALS Beamline 4.0.3 have found that the spin polarization of electrons emitted from TIs can be completely controlled in three dimensions when hit with a photon beam, simply by tuning the polarization of the incident light. Read more...
Contact: Chris Jozwiak |
| Tick Tock, Watch the Beamclock! |
 Since it was first introduced, the ALS beamline diagram has been informally known as "the beamclock." A new video, produced as part of the ALS 20th anniversary,  transforms the static image into a literal clock. It marks time, not by hours or minutes, but by the addition of beamlines to the facility from 1993 to 2013. Watch the video... |
| Brighter Beam, Smaller Spot |
 During the most recent shutdown, all of the corrector magnets were replaced with sextupoles, reducing the horizontal emittance and increasing beam brightness. How is it affecting beamlines? Read the article.
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| Ring Leader: Simon Morton |
 As Instrumentation Manager for the Berkeley Center for Structural Biology, Simon Morton has been a member of the Physical Biosciences Division, but he is now transitioning to work 60% time for the ALS. He is responsible for developing new hardware and systems to improve ALS beamlines, looking at lessons learned from previous upgrades and applying them to other existing beamlines to cost-effectively upgrade the optics, improve performance, and make use of already-developed designs. Read more... |
| Events |
ALS Science Café, NOTE DATE CHANGE: Wednesday, May 8, User Support Building, R15-253
Speakers include Chris Jozwiak and Stefan Minasian.
ICOLS 2013: 21st International Conference on Laser Spectroscopy June 9-14, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA
VUVX2013: 38th International Conference on Vacuum UV and X-ray Physics
July 12-19, 2013; Hefei, China
ISWAMP2: 2nd Conference on Intense Field, Short Wavelength Atomic and Molecular ProcessesJuly 20-22, 2013; Xi'an, China
June 20-24, 2013; Honolulu, HI, USA
August 25-29, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA
ALS User Meeting - Save the Date!
October 7-9, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA
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| UEC Corner |
The ALS User Experience
Synchrotrons offer a unique environment in that there is a common floor space and an opportunity for scientists from many different fields to interact, for better or worse! This can lead to creative collaboration or sometimes to open conflict.
The UEC is very interested in hearing about your user experience at the ALS. We will be discussing the issue of workplace environment and culture at the next UEC meeting (May 9) and hope you will share your experiences with us.
- What is your view on the work environment at the ALS?
- Are there any areas for improvement?
- How does the ALS compare to other synchrotron facilities?
Please feel free to contact any of the UEC members if you have any comments, positive or negative. We will consolidate your views and report back to ALS management.
Contact: Corie Ralston
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Announcements
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Daughters and Sons to Work Day
On Apri 18, more than 120 young people came to Berkeley Lab for Daughters and Sons to Work Day. As usual, touring the ALS and learning about the research conducted here was one of the highlights for the kids. Volunteer Will Thur, formerly an engineer at the ALS, led a tour around the ring (above) that ended atop the booster ring where the visitors got an overview of beamlines and a close look at the historic dome.
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