APS User Check List

Many changes have been implemented at the APS over the last few years to the facility and its user processes. Please familiarize yourself with what’s new by visiting our User Access to APS page.

Please view the newly added Dining Options for Facility Users information here.

  1. Register to obtain access approval for physical (in-person), remote/digital, or mail-in access. If you are a current user, you can check your registration end date in the APS User Portal.

    Approved APS Users have full access to the APS complex (Buildings 400-402 and 431-438), the Long Beamline Building (Building 444), the Advanced Protein Characterization Facility (Building 446), Argonne Shipping (Building 46), the Argonne Cafeteria (Building 213, daytime only), and the Argonne Guest House (Building 460, daytime only if staying offsite). 

  2. Set-up Your ANL Domain Account: Domain account must be active for access to any APS user web interfaces.
    • Upon approval of your registration form, you will receive a separate email to set-up an ANL domain account. The email will come from <[email protected]> with a subject line: SET UP YOUR ARGONNE DOMAIN ACCOUNT.  Follow the instructions provided in that email.
    • Please note ANL domain accounts expire every 6 months. You will receive an email from <[email protected]> 14 days and 7 days prior to expiration.  
    • Test your ANL domain account:
      • If your password has been disabled, reset using your Password Enrollment Profile.
      • For assistance, or if you do not have a Password Enrollment Profile, contact the ANL Service Desk at 630-252-9999, option 1.
  3. Login to the APS User Portal, a personalized link to access all user platforms and useful links (registration, proposals, ESAFs, NoMachine, DOIs, training, gate pass requests, etc.).
     
  4. In the Portal, acknowledge the legal user agreement between APS and your home institution (required for all users).
     
  5. Submit a proposal.
    • Review the APS user requirements to submit a proposal in the UPS.
    • For assistance, view a demo of the Universal Proposal System (UPS) here.
    • Research Security and User Responsibilities: APS users need to be aware that when they are listed on an APS scientific proposal and/or an experiment safety assessment form (ESAF) that they are bound by responses to research security questions that are asked within the proposal system.

      Each proposal submitted to APS asks a series of questions related to Export Control/S&T (Science and Technology) Matrix Research Screening as well as a question related to the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State, and Treasury Consolidated Screening List (CSL) (https://www.trade.gov/consolidated-screening-list).

      It is each user's responsibility to ensure their awareness of these questions and the responses provided.
       
  6. Establish a user account to pay for supplies and services or for proprietary beam time if one is needed by setting up a purchase order.

After you are awarded beam time...

  1. Communicate with beamline staff to plan your beam time. You should receive an e-mail notice from the APS Scheduling System that provides the dates of your beam time and a link to assist you in starting your safety form.
     
  2. Complete an Experiment Safety Assessment Form (ESAF) for your experiment.
     
  3. Complete all training. Training specified in your ESAF is required for participation in an experiment. To be granted access to the Argonne site, ESH100U is required before a gate pass can be issued. 
     
  4. Arrange for delivery and return of samples/materials. Please check the link for suggested wording for shipment descriptions that can expedite handling of shipments at customs.
     
  5. The APS experiment hall floor is a radiation protection area and all persons accessing the floor MUST have a dosimeter. Please see here for guidance.
     
  6. Download APS Phone Application.
     
  7. Site access can only be granted to users identified as "on-site" on approved Experiment Safety Assessment Forms (ESAFs) or if a Gate Pass is requested and processed by the User Program Office. Visit the APS User Portal to request a Gate Pass. 

  8. A Gate Pass is required for users arriving on evenings, weekends, and holidays. Gate pass requests MUST be submitted in the APS User Portal by the deadlines listed below (all times listed are Central). If you will be arriving on a holiday or laboratory shutdown period, please contact the APS User Office.

    • Evening Arrival (after 4:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday) deadline for request - 1:00 p.m., day prior to arrival
    • Weekend Arrival (Friday after 4:00 p.m., Saturday, and Sunday) deadline for request - 1:00 p.m., Thursday prior to arrival

    Secure your Gate Pass as early as possible to ensure site access and prevent delays with your experiment. Site access cannot be guaranteed if a request is submitted after the deadlines above, and entry may be denied.

  9. Carefully Review Detailed SITE ACCESS RULES for Argonne HERE.
    • REAL ID is required for site access.
    • Failure to have appropriate identification upon arrival or providing fraudulent documentation will result in suspension of access approval, removal from the site, and possible cancellation of future access.
    • PLEASE NOTE: A reservation at the Argonne Guest House does NOT include site access to Argonne.
    • Please reference Argonne's directions and maps.
  10. Building information for arrival at Argonne:
    • Argonne Welcome Center (Main Gate) hours: 6:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday - Friday
    • APS User Office (Building 401, Room B1100) hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday - Friday
  11. Visit the APS User Office to activate the prox chip in your gate pass for 24-hour access to the APS.
    • Only users listed as "on-site" on approved ESAFs will have their prox chip activated.
    • Access will be provided to all APS entryways, experiment hall floor, stock room, and any additional areas as needed based on beamline. Please reference the card reader location map.
    • Prox access is activated for the duration of the experiment based on dates provided on the ESAF.
    • Users arriving after hours and on weekends/holidays must request a gate pass in advance via the Gate Pass Request tab in your User Portal to ensure site access. The pre-activated gate pass will then be available at the Main Gate guard booth upon arrival. Each person must have a gate pass.

After your experiment concludes...

  1. Return your site access credential (e.g., gate pass) to the guard post when leaving the Argonne site at the end of your experiment/visit.
     
  2. You must complete an End of Experiment form (EEF). The experiment spokesperson listed on the ESAF will be sent instructions.
     
  3. Acknowledge the APS and the beamline in any resulting publications. Be sure to include your Digital Object Identifier (DOI) from your experiment in your acknowledgements.
     
  4. Notify APS of publications resulting from APS data.
     
  5. Notify the APS User Office if any of the following apply:
    • Any changes in employer/institution/affiliation
    • Any changes in name or immigration status/USCIS documents
    • Any civil or criminal problems


Questions/help via email:  [email protected]. 

 

To comment on the contents, please contact [email protected] or 630-252-9090.