Skip to main content

ALS

Home / Operating Schedule

Operating Schedule

New information regarding proposal calls is now available below. Last page update: June 2, 2026

Beamline Schedules

Schedules for individual beamlines are posted in the ALS Scheduler.

User Operations Before Dark Time

The ALS Upgrade (ALS-U) project is in its construction phase. As of fall 2025, all of the accumulator ring magnet rafts have been mechanically installed. Still to come is the storage ring, which will be installed during the dark time period, projected to start no sooner than October 2027 and last 22 months. 

We aim to maximize quality beamtime for users leading up to the dark time, position the facility to have a productive and successful dark time, and deliver new capabilities to you as soon as possible.

User beam schedules:

  • 2026-2 Cycle (July–December): No beam in the second half of 2026. The ALS will shut down in early July through the end of the calendar year for the replacement of the switch station through which all power for the ALS accelerator comes. 
  • 2027-1 Cycle (January–June): Several months of beam, anticipated to begin in January. Accumulator ring commissioning will require a month-long period in the spring without user operations. Following this, continued accumulator commissioning will require approximately six weeks of reduced user operations. During that time, the ALS will be shut down for approximately four days per week. The detailed cycle schedule will be announced in fall 2026.
  • 2027-2 Cycle (July–December): At least three months of beam, depending on final dark time start date. We will not have an extended shutdown in summer 2027. Detailed schedule anticipated in spring 2027.
  • Dark time: Dark time is planned to start no earlier than October 2027 and will last approximately 22 months.

More information on the project timeline can be found here.

Current Operating Schedule

Google Calendar: Click the following link to add the ALS operating schedule to your Google Calendar (with option to toggle display on/off).

“SoftStart” indicates either a buffer period for contingencies arising after long shutdowns or periods when limited beamtime may be offered on a case-by-case basis. Any user beamtime scheduled for the SoftStart period should have the flexibility to be rescheduled for a later time.

Past Operating Schedules