1. Subjects of Program

Sample screening and feasibility study using the following instruments.

(1) DAPHNIS for serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) [Tono et al., J. Synchrotron Rad. 22, 532 (2015)]

• X-ray diffraction measurement of micrometer-sized crystals
• Powder diffraction measurement of nanometer-sized crystals

The targeted studies are on the structure of microcrystalline materials in addition to those of proteins. Note that the pump-probe experiments using optical lasers are not included.

(2) Experimental platform using the high-power nanosecond laser [Inubushi et al., Appl. Sci. 10, 2224 (2020)]

• Ultrafast X-ray measurements of matter under pressures of sub-terra Pa ranges generated by laser-induced shock waves
• Hydrodynamics induced by laser irradiation captured through ultrafast X-ray measurements

Please refer to the description of the high-power nanosecond laser system (HERMES) below.

Note that we may not be able to fulfill your request on experimental conditions due to the beamtime schedule.

2. Allocatable Beamtime

The maximum beamtime is 1 shift (12 hours).

3. Co-Applications with the SACLA Research Proposals

The Feasibility Study Programs and the SACLA Research Proposals can be applied simultaneously. If you apply both with the same contents, you do not need to submit the application form for the SACLA Feasibility Study Program. Instead, please put a checkmark on the corresponding item in Term 5 (Co-Application with Feasibility Study Program) of the application form for the SACLA Research Proposals. In this case, the submitted proposal is reviewed as the Feasibility Study Program only when your SACLA Research Proposal is rejected.

4. Publication of Results

Publication as peer-reviewed papers is not required for research results obtained through the Feasibility Study Programs. Project leaders must submit Experiment Summary Reports within 60 days after completion of the experiment. The Experiment Summary Reports will be public online.

5. High-Power Nanosecond Laser System

Osaka University deployed a high-power nanosecond laser system (HERMES) at SACLA. An experimental system is available at BL3 EH5 for advanced pump-and-probe experiments with the XFEL and the high-power nanosecond laser.
Applicants/project leaders who apply for the above experimental system are required to consent to the following matters before submitting their programs.

1. Any program using the above experimental system is also regarded as a proposal for Collaborative Research of the Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE), Osaka University.
2. JASRI provides information given in a program to ILE if the program is approved.
3. Applicants/project leaders shall state in presentations and publications that the results were obtained by using both the SACLA XFEL and the high-power nanosecond laser system of ILE, Osaka University.

Applicants/project leaders should contact the XFEL Utilization Division (sacla-bl.jasri@spring8.or.jp) in advance of the program submission for information on the experimental system and its capabilities.
Please note that the typical operating conditions of the laser system in 2024B were as follows.

• Pulse energy: ~15 J on sample
• Pulse shape: 5 ns square pulse
• Central wavelength: 532 nm
• Focused beam profile: flat-top profiles with a diameter of ~120, ~170, ~260, or ~470 µm (FWHM) using a diffractive optical element (DOE).

Pre-submission Inquiry about Feasibilities

When the applicants have concerns or questions regarding the feasibility of planned experiments, it is strongly encouraged to contact the XFEL Utilization Division (sacla-bl.jasri@spring8.or.jp) to receive their comments well before the proposal submission. The objects are not limited to items listed in the section “Experimental instruments/operation modes that need prior confirmation”. If the applicants receive comments from beamline scientists regarding the feasibility, the comments can be mentioned in the proposal.

Co-Principal Investigators

If desired, applicants can designate a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). The applicant/project leader, or PI, may appoint one or more Co-PIs from among project team members who will share responsibilities with the PI to lead the project. Eligibility for Co-PI status is limited to individuals who can also apply for proposals individually. The role of a Co-PI can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Supervising multiple related projects based on deep knowledge and expertise in experimental instruments, methodologies, and techniques.
• Acting as the primary contact for communication with beamline scientists at the facility to ensure smooth execution of the proposed research.

Note that beamline scientists may also be designated as Co-PIs.
If the applicants desire to designate Co-PIs, they should provide the information about the Co-PIs (User card ID number, name, and institution/company) in the section of “Abstract”.

Quotations from Related Applications

Applicants may partially include quoted descriptions from other (past or ongoing) proposals to streamline the proposal preparation and clarify the relationships between those proposals only when the following conditions are met. However, applicants/project leaders still must explicitly distinguish their current proposal from the original.

• The original proposal is/was submitted by the current applicant or one of the team members.
• The original proposal’s details, such as the applicant’s name and proposal number, are specified in the current application.
• Quotations are limited to part of the required items, for example, the research background in the “abstract” section or the measurement method and layout in the “experimental details” section.
• The current application must contain all necessary information about the proposed research to enable a full review without reading other proposals.