LS-CAT

Life Sciences Collaborative Access Team
9700 S. Cass Ave, Bldg 436A
Argonne, IL 60439
Main Phone:1.630.252.0627
Fax: 1.630.252.4664
21-ID-D: 1.630.252.1821
21-ID-F/G: 1.630.252.1721

Home > Using LS-CAT > Data Collection >

Collecting Data at LS-CAT

Preliminaries

Your ability to collect data relies on an accurate ESAF. In addition to entering accurate information about the samples and chemicals being brought to LS-CAT, you must be sure the email address and badge number are correct for everyone listed. Directories and account names are automaticaly generated based on the email address and badge number for those listed on the ESAF. The home directories and accounts are not generated if the email address and/or badge number are incorrect. In particular, if the Principle Investigator's email address is not legal then it will not be possible to collect data at LS-CAT. Likewise, it will not be possible to use any remote LS-CAT services without an accurate badge number and email address.

Pin Length

We support 18mm Hampton pins which make the distance from the bottom of the base to the end of the pin 22mm as described here.
Starting at the Beamline

Currently LS-CAT users need to use 2 computers to collect data. We call one the MD2 computer and the other the Mar computer.

  • The MD2 computer
    • If needed, log in with the user name "lscat". The staff will tell you the password.
    • Start up the MD2 program by double clicking the "StartMe" icon.
    • There are no user accounts on this computer and your data is not accessable here.
  • The Mar computer
    • If someone is already logged in, log them out first (alt-control-backspace can be used if needed)
    • Log in: your acccount name is the letter "e" followed by your APS ESAF experiment number. The staff will tell you your password.
    • Use the system preferences to turn off the screen saver. When the Mar computer goes into screen saver mode it will add an additional 5 seconds per frame to collect data.
    • In the first workspace open a terminal session (right-click somewhere on the desktop for a menu that includes opening a terminal session)
    • Type "marccd". The marccd program should start up. The program will take two exposures to use as the background within about 10 seconds of starting.
    • Check that the detector cooler is on, contact the staff if it's not.
    • In the second workspace open a new terminal session and type 21D on the 21-ID-D station, 21F on the 21-ID-D station, and 21G on the 21-ID-G station. Please use the correct station letter as you'll likely ruin someone elses experiment otherwise.

Screen shots of the MD2 phases: Sample Transfer, Centering, Data Colection, and Beam Location. Click on a screen shot to see a brief explaination and a link to a full scale version of the screen shot

Sample Transfer Phase

Centering Phase

Data Colleciton Phase

Beam Location Phase

Here are some useful files:

Sample Transfer Phase

If using Kapa Assisted manual mounting then the mini kappa will move into position.

Always wait for all the MD2 motors to stop moving before approaching the instrument.

Full Size

Centering Phase

Use the "3 Clicks Centering" button to center your sample. If needed you may rotate or translate your sample between clicks.

Full Size

Data Collection Phase

Enter your ESAF experiment number to enable the data collection phase. Ask a staff member for your password.

Full Size

Beam Loation Phase

This phase is used to align the aperture, colimator, and beam stop as well as to fine tune the beamline optics.

Full Size
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