WAND² Mail in program

Wide-Angle Neutron Diffractometer

WAND² | HB-2C | HFIR

HB-2C WAND² is now accepting mail-in proposals to measure powder samples. This program is currently in its initial testing phase and aims to utilize WAND²'s fast data acquisition capabilities (potentially less than 5 minutes per diffractogram and/or event mode data collection). If your project falls outside the specific scope of the mail-in program or requires additional support from instrument scientists, please submit a General User Program proposal.

Mail-In Program Overview

The WAND² Mail-In Program allows researchers to submit proposals year-round, independent of the semi-annual general user proposal calls. Results of the mail-in WAND² measurements should facilitate to imminent submission of a publication. The following outlines the key details and guidelines:

Measurement Specifications: Data collection uses a 1.486 Å constant wavelength with a default two-theta range of 5°–125°. If a different range is required, please specify it in your proposal.
Samples: Samples must be prepared before submitting your proposal. Once your proposal is approved, vanadium sample cans will be shipped to your home institution to load and return to HFIR within two weeks. Sample Loading Sheet must be filled in the IPTS system before shipping mail-in or remote samples to HFIR. Samples will be disposed after measurement unless return is specifically requested. Please inform the instrument team if you wish to have your samples returned.
Beam Time and Temperature Range:
1. A maximum of 6 hours effective measurement time can be requested in a six month period.
2. The allowed temperature range is 2K–100K and/or at room temperature (RT), supporting samples with discrete temperature steps OR samples for time-dependent (temperature ramp) event mode data collection.
3. For discrete temperatures measurements, one proposal can ask for up to 6 measurements (6 samples, or 6 temperatures between 2-100 K, or any combination, up to 6 total). For time-dependent (temperature ramp) event mode measurements, only one sample is allowed at temperature range 2-100K.
4. Room-temperature measurements can be requested but will usually be performed without a cryostat at a different time.
Proposals are reviewed for feasibility and conflict of interest with GU proposals. While we strive to accommodate as many proposals as possible, some mail-in proposal may not be accepted, though detailed feedback may not always be provided.
Experiments are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be notified when data collection is complete. If the number of samples exceeds the number of available slots on a given day, priority is given to new users.
An experimental status report or a publication reference is required before a 2^nd mail-in proposal will be approved from the same research group.
Contact the instrument scientists if you have any questions.

Mail-In Proposal Process

Make sure your samples are ready.
Use the provided proposal template to prepare your proposal. Contact the instrument scientists if you have any questions or need clarification.
Submit your proposal through IPTS, ensuring you select Mail-In as the proposal type.
If your proposal is accepted, you will receive an email with additional information, Empty vanadium sample cans will be shipped to the address provided in your proposal.
Follow the provided sample loading instructions to load your samples into the vanadium cans and complete the sample loading spreadsheet in IPTS. Incomplete sample information will automatically reject the sample for beam time.
Samples should be returned to HFIR within two weeks of receiving the empty cans. Ship the loaded samples back to the address listed on the Shipping Guidance page.
Your samples will be measured at the earliest available opportunity on a first-come, first-served basis.
After data collection, you will receive an email with instructions. Visit the WAND² User Guidance page for details on how to download and analyze your data.
All publications resulting from WAND² data must include the required HFIR instrument acknowledgment and be submitted to the PuSH publication tracking system.
Samples will be disposed by default after the experiments. Please contact instrument team if you want your samples returned.