Virtual BeamLine (VBL)

• Using an OptIPortal installed by VeRSI at the synchrotron, view images captured by the detectors on sixteen 24-inch screens in a
  4 x 4 configuration, at 36.8 megapixel resolution.
• Access images collected at the synchrotron using a part of the VBL called MetaMan. This allows a user to see an image in real time without having to download the file.

The VBL acts as a model for the design and development of VBLs on other experimental beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron, and other synchrotrons around the world.

In addition to the beamline-specific activities, VeRSI:

• Is providing an online induction service. This allows visitors to the Australian Synchrotron to undergo safety training before arriving on site, thus reducing delays in getting up and running.
• Has built a web and mobile phone interface for the Facility Status Monitor developed by the synchrotron's control systems team.

The success of the VBL demonstrator has led to its integration into the daily operations of two major beamlines, which are heavily relied upon by hundreds of scientists. The VBL modules are to be added to other existing beamlines as a result of this successful uptake.

In the future

The vision for the Australian Synchrotron is further and rapid advancement of remote access across the whole facility, to enable standards of capability at an international level. A program for advancing this capability is currently being drafted. It will address:   

• Leveraging and sustaining VBL work to move from demonstration to production.
• Integrating the VBL into working environments across the synchrotron beamlines.
• Integrating the VBL with facility infrastructures (networks, storage, HPC, etc).
• Supporting exponential data-generation across the beamlines – data capture, repository, storage, analysis, transfer, visualisation.

The proposed program of work will enable remote access to current beamlines (3+), and potentially to new beamlines (10+), optimally phased over four years and building in remote capability of the new beamlines from the start. This is critical in terms of support (e.g. scheduling, analytical software), as well as for users, and will provide considerable benefits through improvements in efficiencies (time/distance/space), and improved uptake, and support of full experiment and data lifecycle.

Outcomes

1. The process of establishing the VBL has made a significant contribution to strategic thinking about eResearch in the community. 

2. Remote access to most beamlines

Having remote access to most beamlines allows users to run experiments without having to be on site, thus enabling them to:

• Save money on travel.
• Run experiments faster.
• Generate more data.

3. Faster MX crystal-solving

By using the synchrotron cluster to half-solve crystals, researchers can make better choices as to which crystals to grow. This makes better use of beamtime, and:

• Is cheaper and faster.
• Provides more metadata.

4. One user database

• More efficient for synchrotron staff.
• Better for generating reports.

For more information, please contact Michael D'Silva.

Project details

This Project has now been completed

Project title  Virtual Beamlines – Service Integration and Extension

Lead institute  Australian Synchrotron

Principal investigator  Dr Dean Morris – Head of Operations

Partner PIs and/or participating institutions  Dr David Cookson – Science Management

VeRSI executive sponsor  Dr Ann Borda – VeRSI Executive Director

VeRSI project management  Michael D’Silva – Program Manager and Software Systems Engineer

Chris Myers – Program Director

Brief summary of project  VBL Integration and Extension

Keywords: Virtual Beamline | Beamlines | VBL | Synchrotron | Crystallography | Diffraction | Optiportal | Metaman | Imaging | Storage gateway | GridFTP | SRB | iRODS | SSL