Preparation for atomic physics at the advanced photon source (APS)

In January 1996, the APS design goal for a stored beam of 100 mA at 7 GeV was achieved with storage times of several hours. The process of commissioning user beamlines is underway. The lab/office modules, central lab/office building, conference center, and user residence facility are near completion. The Basic Energy Sciences Synchrotron Research Center (BESSRC) uses two out of the 34 sectors of APS. Each sector contains a bending-magnet source and an insertion-device source. Initially three x-ray beamlines will be constructed using a bending magnet, an undulator, and an elliptical multipole wiggler. Much of the atomic physics research conducted at the APS will use these beamlines. A large atomic physics hutch being installed at the undulator beamline will be capable of containing sizable items such as a small accelerator and/or various lasers. The authors` group has undertaken responsibilities in such areas as hutch design, interfacing and equipment, sagittal focussing in the cryogenically cooled monochromator systems, user policy, evaluation of undulator performance, etc. Aspects of the initial experimental program, being prepared in collaboration with atomic physicists from the University of Western Michigan, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Notre Dame, will be described.