Technical and Safety reasons
As a general rule, experiments on BL24-CIRCE have to be performed exclusively with samples and equipments described in proposals (academic, in-house, proprietary) and validated by ALBA Health and Safety Office.
What cannot be done at the BL for safety reasons:
- Radioactive compounds: Radioactive sources as defined in RD 35/2008 will not be accepted. Samples containing radioactive isotopes below these specific limits MUST be declared and acceptance will be studied case by case.
- In general, biological samples are not accepted at this beamline unless agreed in a case by case basis. Hazardous classified samples such as virus and other infectious species, genetically modified bacteria or bio-organisms, live matter, tissues, organs, or other matter of animal or human origin are not accepted, (samples with biosafety level 2 or higher, GMO excluded).
- Corrosive, pyrophoric, explosive and toxic samples are not accepted.
- Gases availability/acceptance: i) at CIRCE endstation, and following the general policy from ALBA, we do not accept pyrophoric (e.g. silane, borane, and phosphine) or highly unstable gases (i.e., 1,3-butadiene, methyl acetylene, vinyl chloride, tetrafluoroethylene, and vinyl fluoride, etc.) gases. Nowadays, in case of non-inert gases, only small format bottles are allowed ; ii) at PEEM endstation, in addition, bottles with volume higher than 2,5L or pressure higher than 20bars are not allowed.
- Illegal substances and/or samples: (f.i. drugs, unregulated agricultural or food samples, etc.) unless it is explicitly proved that it is allowed by Spanish regulations.
- Nanoparticles: Powder samples with sub-micron grain sizes are considered herein. Measurement on nano size materials could be authorized when sample is properly filled in sealed confinement or firmly bonded to a substrate. However, the manipulation on the beamline and/or related laboratory of loose powder is forbidden.
Disclaimer: This list is not comprehensive; it only indicates the experimental conditions and sample characteristics that could not be accepted due to technical and/or safety reasons. The acceptance of any materials (including equipment) is subjected to the availability of all required safety conditions and protective equipment.
