New x-ray sources and improved x-ray detectors will be the result of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding in the amount of $7.9 M obtained by the Advanced Photon Source (APS). The one-time supplemental grant was secured after APS management submitted several proposals as part of a competitive exercise among all four of the U.S. Department of Energy's light source facilities at national laboratories. The funding will also allow the hiring of three technical support employees.
Front-end and insertion device upgrades, funded at the level of $3.6 M, are planned for GeoSoilEnviroCARS beamline 13-ID, High Pressure Collaborative Access Team beamline 16-ID, and X-ray Operations and Research XOR/UNI beamline 34-ID. The funding will provide doubled independent beams at all three beamlines, and includes construction and installation of modified front ends, vacuum chambers, and insertion devices.
The schedule for installation is currently being developed; the first front-end installation should begin in September 2010. Installation will be conducted during periods when the APS electron accelerator is shut down for normal maintenance; project completion is slated for 2011.
Funding in the amount of $4.3 M (in two installments) has been earmarked for new detectors and staff for detector-software support. The APS detector pool, which currently includes 42 instruments, receives approximately 300 requests annually from the APS user community. An evaluation of high-demand detectors combined with considerations for maximizing scientific impact and the proposed APS renewal is the first step in plans for the purchase of five new detectors.
According to a statement at the U.S. government Web site Recovery.gov (www.recovery.gov/?q=content/our-mission), the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, save and create millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century." The appropriations bill put forward by the Administration and passed by the 111th Congress notes that one purpose of the funding initiative is "To provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health."