ALS Computing

Accelerating scientific knowledge from synchrotron light through intuitive and transformative computational solutions at the ALS.

The ALS Computing Group includes more than a dozen staff and postdocs with expertise in machine learning, artificial intelligence, data visualization, data management, controls systems, and more. The Computing Group is dedicated to advancing scientific progress at the ALS and the larger x-ray community by providing state-of-the-art software and data solutions that enable end users to accomplish research faster and more efficiently.

As the ALS currently undergoes a substantial upgrade to become a fourth generation synchrotron, the Computing Group is actively creating software and infrastructure to support the new capabilities and large data demands at beamlines. The diagram below illustrates the architecture being implemented that will realize full benefits of the ALS upgrade.  

 

The Computing Group’s vision is to integrate beamlines with advanced computing infrastructure and modern analysis tools to provide real-time analysis of vast amounts of data. Experimental workflows will be enhanced with AI/ML, allowing rapid analysis of complex data to unveil patterns that were previously unattainable without extensive post analysis. A continuous loop between data collection, processing, and analysis will make this possible, aided with intuitive visual interfaces that utilize modern control system software. To see parts of this architecture in action, explore our project examples here.

These goals support the broader mission of the group, which is to unlock deeper scientific insights and accelerate groundbreaking discoveries.