1. Physics news from the last two weeks:

• Successful experiment with one-neutron transfer reactions on ⁶⁶Ni (IS469).

• Positive outcome from the WITCH experiment (IS433) using ³⁵Ar to look for b-neutrino angular correlations.

2. Offline measurements at ISOLDE:

• Stable beam of ²¹Ne is being used for testing the conditions for nuclear orientation with post-accelerated beams from REX-ISOLDE. The orientation should be detectable in the angular distribution of gamma rays after Coulomb excitation. If successful, this test will be the first one to report polarization with tilted-foil at high beam energy.

• High-precision voltage divider is being used to calibrate the beam energy, e.g. the high-voltage readout of ISOLDE. This initiative was brought forward by the COLLAPS collaboration as this is important for reducing the systematic uncertainty of the rms charge-radii by laser spectroscopy. The device has been developed for the needs of the KATRIN experiment, which aims to measure the neutrino mass with high-precision. Subjects of investigation of this test are the power supplies for the GPS and HRS targets as well as the one for ISCOOL.

3. News from recent meetings:

• The INTC committee examined six new proposals and allocated 76 shift of radioactive beam approving fully or partly at least four of them. Additional shifts were given to IS449 to measure the charge radius of ¹²Be.

• The outcome from the ISOLDE collaboration meeting is very positive. Considerable funding is allocated for the consolidation of the target area. Two positions will be appointed to ease the operation next year: a laser physicist to support RILIS and a safety officer.

• A test with an ECR ion source “COMIC cavity” developed at Grenoble has been considered at the upgrade group meeting. The investigation of Sm beams has been given the highest priority in 2010 target/ion-source development.

4. Technical announcements:

• The new HRS front-end #6 will be installed during the shutdown period.

• The ISOLDE vacuum control system will be fully renovated during the shutdown period. Work has already started.

• Cooling water will not be available after December 7 and will be turned back on February 27 2010.
• Power cuts are likely on January 3 (Meyrin offices) due to planned tests for emergency cuts.

5. Announcements:

• Slovak and French students may be interested to join ISOLDE experiments for a few months next year.

• The position of ISOLDE coordinator is still opened for applications until the end of the week.

6. Talks:

• Florian Duval (LPC Caen) spoke about “SHIRaC: The Spiral 2 High-Intensity Radiofrequency Cooler for the DESIR Facility”.

• Susanne Kreim will present her PhD work after the next group meeting, which exceptionally is planned for Monday, the 7-th of December.

Minutes by DTY