Process for the Selection of Instruments for ESS Endorsed by the ESS Steering Committee January 2012. Updated June 2013 and September 2014.
Summary
Twenty-two scientific instruments will surround the ESS target, each one built to meet a specific
set of scientific demands. The selection of which instruments to build is pivotal to the success of
the ESS facility, as these define the science that ESS will address and the community the ESS
will cater for.
It is important that the scientific community is engaged in the instrument selection process and
assumes moral ownership of the choices made, for which reason the STC in September 2011
decided that the scientific instruments are to be selected via an open process. This document
serves to specify that process. The aim of the process is to deliver a world-leading instrument
suite that addresses the scientific interests of the European scientific community.
The instrument selection process must be transparent and clear, and carefully organised in
order to meet the time-line of the ESS construction programme. This policy document serves to
regulate the steps of the instrument selection process, clarifying the decision-making process
and specifying the time constraints.
Introduction
The ESS will be the world’s brightest source of neutrons to be used for scientific research. A
versatile suite of instruments will serve a broad range of scientific areas.
At the September 2011 meeting of the ESS Steering Committee it was decided that the
scientific instruments shall be selected via an open process that involves the scientific
community. The aim of this process is to deliver an instrument suite with the best possible
performance that addresses the scientific interests of the European scientific community.
Instrument Installation
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Figure 1: Conceptual illustration of the step-wise construction of instruments for ESS. The number of instruments
selected each year will vary, and the construction schedule will be adjusted to meet the programme requirements.
The design, construction, commissioning and operation of each of these instruments will follow
a step-wise time-line, as illustrated in Figure 1. As shown in the figure, instrument development
is an on-going process, leading to decisions and subsequent construction of instruments a few
at a time. Following the initial instruments installed by 2019, more instruments will come on line
each year, leading up to the full suite of instruments. This ambitious goal results in tight timelines for instrument construction, especially as we are starting from a green-field site.
The selection of instruments is pivotal to the success of the ESS facility, as these define the
science that ESS will address and the community the ESS will cater for. It is important that the
scientific community is engaged in the selection process and assumes moral ownership of the
choices made.
The instrument development process that leads up to instrument selection is also of utmost
importance. This process is conducted through an active discourse with the international
neutron community, utilising the vast body of competence and experience available and
ensuring that ESS will serve the interests of the community as a whole.
The instrument selection process must be transparent and clear, and carefully organised in
order to meet the demands of the ESS construction programme illustrated in Figure 1. The
structural framework for the development of an instrument idea to an ESS construction project
is outlined in Box 1. The current document serves to specify the steps of this process.
Process for the selection of instruments
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Box 1: Key steps in the selection of an instrument for construction
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
1.
An instrument idea is conceived and proposed to ESS
The instrument idea is incorporated into the ESS preconstruction programme
A conceptual design for the instrument is developed
An instrument proposal is submitted to ESS
The instrument proposal is reviewed by international experts
Feed-back and revisions lead to an improved instrument proposal
The ESS Scientific Advisory Committee advises on which instruments to build
The ESS Steering Committee decides on instrument construction
An instrument idea is conceived and proposed to ESS
In order to ensure scientific excellence at ESS, instrument development must be driven by
science. This entails predicting future scientific needs and identifying which areas of science will
benefit most from the advantages of ESS. This is a complex and challenging process that relies
heavily on an ongoing intellectual effort within the user community. Community involvement is
ensured through the following mechanisms:
•
We interact actively with the community through conferences, including the "ESS
Science & Scientists at ESS" meetings.
•
We hold annual forums where the scientific community is presented with the latest
development in instrumentation and scientific infrastructure and are invited to provide
input. This achieved through the "ESS Science & Scientists at ESS" and/or IKON
meetings.
•
We sponsor ESS Science Symposia within specific scientific fields, running regularly from
2011 onwards. Through these symposia, the user community can give direct input on
the scientific infrastructure of ESS.
•
The ESS Instrument Scientists interact with their respective user groups by organising
workshops and through their advisory bodies (STAP, described below).
•
We have an open call inviting scientists from ESS partner countries (MoU countries) to
suggest instrument ideas for the preconstruction phase.
2.
The instrument idea is incorporated into the ESS preconstruction programme
Each instrument idea is sorted into a generic instrument class. Each class has a common
technical denominator, but is relevant for several key research areas. The instrument classes
are currently Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, Reflectometers, Macromolecular Diffraction,
Single Crystal Diffraction, Powder Diffraction, Materials Engineering Diffraction, Imaging, Direct
Geometry Spectroscopy, Indirect Geometry Spectroscopy, Spin Echo and Fundamental Physics.
The instrument classes are managed by ESS Instrument Scientists, who coordinate the process
Process for the selection of instruments
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of instrument design within the classes. A scientific and technical advisory panel (STAP) is
associated with each instrument class, supporting the Instrument Scientists.
Incorporation of an instrument idea into the ESS preconstruction programme may be proposed
through interactions with the ESS Instrument Scientist governing the relevant instrument class.
The instrument idea is presented to the Scientific Advisory Committee for endorsement, after
which it is incorporated into the ESS preconstruction programme.
3.
A conceptual design for the instrument is developed
Once the instrument idea is incorporated into the ESS preconstruction programme, it enters the
conceptual design phase. During this phase the instrument idea is developed further with the
assistance of the ESS Science Directorate. Depending on instrument design and on the available
resources, the duration of the conceptual design phase will vary.
The design work is performed either in-house by ESS or by scientists in ESS MoU partner
countries (‘scientific partners’).
The conceptual design phase aims to develop an instrument proposal, addressing the topics
specified in Box 2.
4.
An instrument proposal is submitted to ESS
When the instrument proposal is completed according to Box 2, the ESS Instrument Scientist
together with the scientific partner will request evaluation to have the instrument concept
selected for construction.
5.
The instrument proposal is reviewed by international experts
Table 1 outlines the timing of the proposal evaluation process, which is iterated for each call for
new and/or resubmitted proposals. The process begins with a request for evaluation, followed
by submission of the instrument proposal. The proposal will be evaluated, based on the criteria
specified in Box 2, by the STAP of that instrument class and internal ESS reviewers as
appropriate.
A proposal will be reviewed by applying the scale described in Box 3. This review evaluates the
current maturity of the instrument proposal, not its relevance. In other words, red or orange is
not a refusal, but a request for a more convincing case to be presented.
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Box 2: Contents of the instrument proposal
Based on recommendations from the Scientific Advisory Committee and the Steering
Committee (April 2011), the instrument proposal shall address the following topics
with respect to the proposed instrumentation:
Scientific impact:
Estimate the impact on the relevant scientific fields,
analyse overlap with other instrumentation in terms of
possible measurements, and relate this to the ESS
science strategy.
User base and demand:
Identify the strength and future potential for the user
base.
Instrument performance:
Calculate and compare the expected instrument
performance to existing instruments and other
potential instruments.
Strategy and uniqueness:
Position the instrument in the global instrument park,
taking into account both similar instrumentation and
different instrumentation that addresses similar
scientific questions.
Technical maturity:
Evaluate feasibility, present risk-management strategy,
specify key components, and provide technical
specifications.
Costing:
Include a costing estimate, as complete as possible.
A more detailed template for instrument proposals will be made available.
Box 3: Review system for evaluating instrument proposals
6.
RED
A significant amount of additional information is required for the
proposal to be considered for construction.
ORANGE
A limited amount of additional information is required for the
proposal to be considered for construction.
GREEN
The information presented is sufficient for the proposal to be
considered for construction.
Feed-back and revisions lead to an improved instrument proposal
A preliminary review is delivered by the STAP. If all criteria are met (green marks for all topics
in Box 2), an instrument proposal is ready to be considered for construction. Orange marks can
be addressed by revision of the proposal. Red marks in one or more area require more
substantial revision, and the revised proposal can be resubmitted at a later stage.
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Instrument proposal steps
Request evaluation
Present instrument concept at the autumn IKON meeting
Submit proposal
Receive preliminary evaluation
Submit revised proposal
SAC spring meeting to advise on which instruments to build
STC autumn meeting to decide on which instruments to build
Table 1: Time-line for evaluation of instrument proposals to be selected for construction.
7.
The ESS Scientific Advisory Committee advises on which instruments to build
The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) will take part of the proposals and reviews, and advise
on which instruments to build at ESS.
8.
The ESS Steering Committee decides on instrument construction
Following recommendations from the SAC, ESS Management makes a proposal to the Steering
Committee (STC), which will review the recommendations of ESS Management and the SAC and
make the final decision on instrument construction.
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