On-site sessions

Access will be prioritised based on technique used. Order of priority is:

1. CryoCLEM                                  
2. FIBSEM (Scios/Aquilos)            
3. Lamellae tomography
4. Cellular tomography
5. High-resolution tomography
6. Single particles

We strongly recommend users use the SCAUP or ISPyB service for sample shipping. Users who do not use them are solely responsible for their sample arriving and leaving eBIC. Only dry shippers entered in SCAUP or ISPyB will be checked and topped up with liquid nitrogen while they are kept in eBIC. All samples must be entered into the UAS and have an approved ERA before they arrive on site Once a sample is approved in the UAS system, users can ship their samples to eBIC.

eBIC / I14 building location

The electron Bio-Imaging Centre is located on-site at Diamond, in the I14 building near the synchrotron.

electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC)
I14-EMF
Diamond Light Source
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Didcot, Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE

Directions to Diamond itself can be found here.

For all microscopes: If users bring samples to site, please arrive at eBIC, I14 building entrance (opposite cafeteria) at 9:00am. If samples have been shipped, please arrive at 11.00am. Please bring your user badge if you have been issued with one.

A standard example of a session schedule is available in the eBIC user guide - see the standard session tab in the table.

If you need assistance please contact the Experimental Hall Coordinators on: +44 (0) 1235 77 8787.

• submit sample ERA in UAS at least one week before the user's eBIC session
   
• cryoFIB experiments - ERA should be submitted 3-weeks before the start
   
• register shipping dewar in SCAUP or ISPyB and arrange shipping
   
• contact the local contact detailing data collection parameters and types of grids shipped
   
• read appropriate guide relevant to the user's data collection session - link to User guide instructions

• when saving EPU sessions, make sure name starts with supervisor and has your user session number
   
• movie output format should be non-gain normalised LZW compressed tif
  
  For EPU
   

  • fast-acquisition is recommended for most standard SPA setup as it uses AFIS allowing multiple shots per hole and per stage movement leading to higher data collection rates

  • our recommended setup with K3 cameras is super-resolution with 2-fold binning as this generates fastest data collection rates. To offset potential aliasing, it is recommended to collect one mag higher than required. (e.g., If targeting 81k (1.06 Å/px), use 105k (0.83 Å/px) instead

• once data collection has started, please inform local contacts who will start data transfer scripts
   
• inform local contacts if you plan to collect on multiple samples during a session as each requires their own data transfer script
   
• inform local contacts if you plan to stop and start data collection outside normal working hours

For problems outside the hours of 09:00 to 17:00 (UK time) during the week when the beamline is on, and on weekends between 07:00 to 19:00, users must call Diamond Experimental Hall Coordinators (EHCs) on +44 (0) 1235 77 8787 and inform them of the following:

• they are a user running a remote session on a Krios electron microscope
   
• provide the Experimental Hall Coordinator with their local contact's name

The Diamond Experimental Hall Coordinator will make best efforts to get in touch with eBIC staff, who will attempt to address the problem.