Sample environments & preparation

Sample environments

Sample charger

The automatic sample changer of the beamline is a CATS from Irelec. The maximum capacity of the sample storage Dewar is 126 samples (9 pucks). See the picture of the EH (above) which shows the Pilatus detector, diffractometer (with mini-kappa mount) and sample changer (Irelec CATS, in yellow).

Caps/Vials

Only SPINE caps/vials are supported. In the case of the double gripper (Unipuck) the use of SPINE caps is mandatory (Molecular dimensions, Mitegen or Hampton SPINE caps) (see figure below). The use of other standards will cause serious collisions.

For more detailed information about the SPINE sample holder standard, please visit: https://instrumentation.embl.fr/spinesampleholder/

Besides, caps containing glue or ice in the inner part must be rejected when using the double gripper (Unipuck) to avoid collisions. Please, dry your caps properly to avoid water inside.

Pin length

22 mm pin length is strongly recommended, if you bring longer or shorter pins, make sure to bring an empty pin (sample) to test the position of the cryostream before mounting your samples. Any common brand of pins is allowed (Hampton, MD, etc)

Cassettes (pucks)

16-sample UNIPUCK cassettes (pucks/baskets) (preferred) or 10-sample SPINE (ESRF/EMBL) are supported for automatic mounting in the CATS sample changer. 6 UNIPUCK (96 samples) cassettes and 3 ESRF/EMBL cassettes (30 samples) can be loaded at a time.

Capillaries

Capillaries need to be mounted on a magnetic SPINE cap.

Crystallization plates

CrystalQuick™X crystallization plates are preferred to improve visualization and diffraction signal. Generic SBS plates are supported (still images only).

Back up system

External hard disk drive (preferred).Please bring your own external hard disk drive.
SFTP may also be possible depending on amount of data.

Download your results obtained with the automated data processing pipeline through ISPYB.

Typical software for data processing is available. Automatic processing with EDNA fast processing, autoPROC pipeline and XIA.

Wet laboratory

A wet laboratory is at your disposal which is close to the beamline to facilitate standard crystal manipulation and preparation. A Mosquito LCP for general crystal screening, a Dragonfly for setting up optimizations and a Formulatrix imager allowing remote visualization of the crystallization plates are available.

A complete list of the sample environment instrumentation and standards used

Biology Lab

Before your experiment

Continous access to XALOC

Continuous Access is already implemented, please check the user call page.

A maximum of 6 shifts will be allocated per proposal
(For Spanish Institutions only) Maximum 2 visiting users for 3 shifts or 1 visiting user for 1-2 shifts is funded.per visit
The dewar shipment is funded for groups within the EU

Remote Access

This option allows users running the experiment remotely from their home institution via an NX session. The remote access can be fully remote avoiding the need to travel to ALBA, in this case the local contact will charge pucks into the CATS dewar during working hours. Floor coordinators will give support and exchange pucks during the night shift (phone number: ask LC). A phone number must be provided to the LC to keep in touch with the user during the experiment. In case you do not remember your login/password, the LC will provide it to allow connection to NX.

REQUIREMENTS AND CONNECTION PROCEDURE: Follow the remote access user guide

DATA DOWNLOAD: See the FTP instructions in this page (section 4).

Dewar Transport instructions

Follow the DEWAR SHIPPING AND MANAGEMENT section 7

Running your experiment

Local contact during experiment

Your local contact will have the beamline ready at 9:30 h. He will be on site between 9:30 h-18:30 h. After 18:30 h, he will be reachable by cell phone until 22 h, and will assist you remotely or presentially at the beamline if required. Floors coordinators are available on weekdays from 15h to 7h and 24 hours on weekends and bank holidays.

How to retrieve your data

External Drive (preferred). The preferred way to take the data away with you is by the use of an external drive (mounted on Linux or Windows) on site on either the USB2 or the USB3 port. You will find precise instructions on how to do this at the beamline. Supported formats FAT32 and NTFS.
SFTP server for remote data access. ALBA provides remote access to the experiment data using the SFTP protocol. All the information is available at section 4 of this page. Note that data storage is only guaranteed for 6 months after the date of your experiment, although the data is usually stored for some time longer.
Via a web browser (ISPYB).The results obtained with the EDNA automated data processing pipeline can be downloaded at home through the ISPYB platform (https://ispyb.cells.es/) using your proposal number as login, e.g. u2018XXXXXX, and the password provided for your local contact.

Coffee machine available

A Nespresso coffee machine is available for users at the beamline. Capsules are next to the coffee machine. Enjoy!

Report publications & experimental reports

Important Information for Users

Should you author or have a publication accepted which contains data, totally or partially, from experiments conducted at an ALBA facility, please report it to us using this form and send it to the ALBA User Office. Note also that BAG allocation requires the submission of an experimental report, more information can be found here.

Authors should use the following text in the acknowledgement section: “These experiments were performed at […] beamline at ALBA Synchrotron Light Facility with the collaboration of ALBA staff.”

Your collaboration is vital to track the ALBA data production and enable us to be in a better position to serve your future experiments.