Coordinated Access to Light sources
The CALIPSO project, which runs from June 2012 to May 2015, will contribute to the effective exploitation of European synchrotrons and free electron lasers. CALIPSO (Coordinated Access to Light sources to Promote Standards and Optimisation) includes 20 partners forming one of the largest Research Networks in the world.
e-EPS interviewed M. Bertolo, CALIPSO project manager and his assistant C. Blasetti.
Which challenges are addressed by CALIPSO?
CALIPSO’s goal is to optimize the exploitation of the European synchrotrons and Free Electron Lasers. With respect to previous projects funded by the European Commission, it foresees significant improvements in integration, innovation and user-friendliness in all three areas of networking, transnational access and instrumentation.
The Transnational Access program potentially benefits a community of 25,000 estimated users offering free open access to 12 synchrotrons and 5 free electron lasers solely based on scientific merit.
In addition to this impressive program, CALIPSO moves a step forward towards integration.
One of its core activities is the development of the online portal wayforlight.eu to guide potential users from general knowledge of the applications to specific information about techniques and instrumentation, up to submission of a successful proposal for Transnational Access.
Excellence is also supported through the HIZPAD2 Joint Research Activity, in which facilities cooperate to develop new generations of pixel array detectors.
What are the main achievements so far?
In the first half of the project, more than 1,300 users were supported corresponding to more than 580 projects, producing hundreds of peer reviewed publications.
The wayforlight portal was first setup to present all facilities in a homogeneous way – subsequently, standardized datasheets have been designed, filled and finally published for more than 270 European beamlines. Thanks to this innovative tool, users will be able to find the best beamline for each experiment by using interactive filters at multiple levels.
How is industry involved in the project?
The European Light Sources for Industrial Innovation [ELSII] networking activity is dedicated to catalyse the industrial use of and interaction with European light sources. It deals with industry as a facility user and is organized around 2 tasks: the creation and involvement of an Industrial Advisory Board and the Promotion of Light Sources for Industrial R&D at partner facilities. ELSII started in November 2012 and has organized 3 workshops that have industry targeted and setup an Industrial Advisory Board jointly with the Integrated Infrastructure Initiative for Neutron Scattering and Muon Spectroscopy [NMI3] project.
Which objectives would you like to achieve by the end of the project?
By the end of the project, another 1,000 users will have been supported, more than originally planned. We will work towards dissemination of wayforlight contents taking into account users’ feedback, and plan sustainability of the portal after the end of the project.
We expect the first actions of facilities following the recommendation of the Industrial Advisory Board and a roadmap will be prepared to increase industry awareness about the potential of synchrotron radiation.
From the Instrumentation development side, innovative pixel array detector prototypes will be completed and extensively tested by researchers at partner facilities.
ESUO will work towards strengthening of the whole European as well as of national user communities, and expects to create specialized user groups to deal with different scientific areas.
