ABSTRACT
In the research community, the term user facility usually refers to highly sophisticated experimental facilities that are available to researchers from universities, industry, and other government laboratories. In the United States, they are usually funded or managed by the Department of Energy (DOE) or National Science Foundation. Few examples include Advance Photon Source, National High Magnetic Field Lab, linac coherent light source, and Jefferson Lab Free Electron Laser. Their purpose is to advance national research and development, and minimizing unnecessary duplication of effort (usually from an equipment perspective), promoting beneficial scientific interactions, and making the most effective use of costly and, in many cases, unique equipment.
