1. Technical news:
· HRS intervention took place last Thursday in order to replace the piston of the HRS cage. The new part still contains plastic parts, susceptible to radiation. New piston is being constructed.
· “Day 2” for investigating the ISOLDE beam diagnostics was conducted this week. The issue with an order of magnitude lower current on GPS.FC490 was solved. It had to do with the sensitivity of the pA meter to radiation, already noticed before.
· The REX trap synchronization with the proton pulses was prepared for the upcoming WITCH run. RILIS left the ionizing lasers operational during the weekend without the presence of an operator for the first time. The lasers ran fine for about a day after which they finally drifted too much. The users acknowledge this support.
· Emiliano and Tim have tested the automatic beam-tuning procedure. It operated successfully quadrupoles, but not yet deflectors. This worked well for GLM and delivered about 80% transmission to ISOLTRAP. However, the beam could not be injected as there was no feedback on the current from ISOLTRAP into the system. Tim will present this new procedure at a group meeting during the shutdown.
2.Physics and schedule:
· In spite of technical problems on the ISOLDE side, MINIBALL acquired 18000 events on their 66Ni two-neutron transfer to 68Ni, which is close the original aim of 20000. The work put in saving this run by the ISOLDE and REX operators are acknowledged.
· On Thursday an Ir/Ta/W foil target was installed at HRS for yield tests of rare-earth beams and tests at ISOLTRAP. Both 178,179Yb were seen at the tape station and at ISOLTRAP, but not 180Yb. No exotic dysprosium was seen either, 179Lu was observed, 140Pr not and no atomic Sc which normally comes in the form of molecules.
· UC target with quartz line and neutron converter has been installed at HRS to be used with RILIS ionization for mass measurements on 82Zn at ISOLTRAP, fast timing beta-decay studies on 81Zn and transfer reactions on 74Zn.
3.Safety:
· There will be a safety visit at CERN on Nov 21-st by tri-partite authorities (the French , the Swiss and CERN). They will also visit ISOLDE. When and what sites will be inspected is not clear. Make sure your setup is in order and be careful with the use of radioactive sources.
4.A.O.B.
· Multiple short power cuts are planned for Dec 10. A long power cut will take place on Dec 11. On Dec 12-14 the blue racks with power supplies will be switched off as well. This is part of a general procedure for testing ISOLDE under power-cut conditions.
· There will be no possibility for an off-line program with ISOLDE beams in 2013. This is mainly due to construction work on HIE-ISOLDE. Power, water, air-conditioning or compressed air might not be available for extended periods. For more details please contact Erwin. Nevertheless, there will be a possibility for off-line work at the end of 2012 for about 2 weeks.
· Karl will assume the coordinator functions for the upcoming week in the absence of Magda.
5. Seminars:
· Next Wednesday there will be a seminar by Dr. Sung-Ha Park (Sungkyunkwan University).
· For more information and links to the slides please visit the ISOLDE - seminars page.
Minutes by DTY