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Access and Training |
As a central facility of MRL, the x-ray facility is available to researchers from MRL and other campus departments/groups, as well as off-campus users (academic or industrial). To gain access to the facility, the user must establish a recharge account and satisfy all training requirements.
Scheduling for instruments is done through a web-based portal. Due to high demand on the instruments, certain policies have been established regarding how much time a user can sign up for one day. These sign up restrictions are posted in the x-ray lab and set within the sign up program. Only authorized users who have completed safety and instrument training can access the program.
Under special circumstances, the staff members in the x-ray facility can perform data collection for users. This may be necessary for specialty diffractometers or customized experiments. When these situations arise, staff time in addition to instrument time will be recharged.
Training / Requirements for UCSB students, employees and official visitors:
Completion of MRL Safety Training & Documentation
- Online Lab safety training, which is provided by the UCSB Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) website. Participants are encouraged to complete this online training before arrival to the in person training. The General Online Training is available at:
EH&S Course Listings
- General lab safety training, which is provided periodically by EH&S. This is required for access to any MRL laboratory and covers broad areas of safety issues (chemical, fire, electrical, etc.). Use the above link to find upcoming class times.
- Complete the “New MRL Participant Safety Training Instructions” worksheet to document the completion of the online and in person general lab safety training, available here:
New MRL Participant Safety Training Instructions
- For official UCSB visitors, you must verify your status by presenting an official letter and further sign the “Waiver of Liability” and the Patent Acknowledgement.
- General radiation safety training, which is provided with the instructional video ("The Double Edged Sword") available at the Audio/Visual Center at Kerr Hall on campus or online through the link:
Double Edged Sword Video
Apple QuickTime is required for viewing the video. This video provides background information on the health effects of ionizing radiation and presents methods to avoid radiation exposure.
After seeing the video, you can then obtain instrument training by working with one of the authorized users in your own group, or schedule a one-on-one training with a staff member*.
- Apply for an X-Ray Users account and get a key for lab access.
- Instrument specific training, which is conducted by the laboratory staff or an authorized user. This one-on-one training session (typical duration 2 hrs) covers radiation safety features of the instrument as well as data collection and analysis procedures. In general after this training the user should be able to operate the instrument according to the documented procedure without supervision.
* New users must complete the first two training requirements before scheduling an appointment with the laboratory staff for instrument training. To set up an account for accessing the x-ray instruments or to schedule a training session, contact:
Youli Li, youli@mrl.ucsb.edu, Tel. (805)893-8104
Training / Requirements for Off-Campus Users (From Companies and Other Institutions):
Off-Campus users must contact the MRL Business Officer (Maureen Evans,
maureen@mrl.ucsb.edu, Tel. 805-893-8519, Fax: 805-893-8797) to
to set up the appropriete documentation before facility access is granted. Follow the link below
for introductions on how to set up an off-campus facility user account. In addition, users
must complete required safety and instrument training as outlined above.
“Non-UCSB User Instruction”
Tips
on how to be a good users
- Pay particular attention to safety (x-rays
are invisible and dangerous!)
- Observe all posted signs
- Don't attempt to modify x-ray set up or bypass safety interlocks
- Think about what you are going to do before doing it
- Ask questions when in doubt
- Report problems immediately
- Don't sign up for more time than you need
- Start and finish your session on time
- Clean up after you are done
