1. Technical news:
· The new HRS front end FE6 is now commissioned regarding the vacuum. Successful tests have been performed with a short-circuit target. Further test with a realistic target will be carried out soon.
· The robots for handling the targets have been tested successfully.
· The cathode of REX-EBIS has been replaced.
· Possibilities for improving the vacuum of the REX separator are being investigated.
· A number of devices have been successfully operated through the new vacuum control system. However, further work is needed in order to provide full functionality.
· The Boris tube of GPS has been coated twice. The aim is to improve the chances of using 60 keV beams this year, or at least have less high-voltage trips at lower energies. This solution is temporary. It is planned to replace the Boris tube of GPS next year during the work on the front end.
2. A.O.B:
· The schedule for this year is being finalized and will be announced soon. In addition there will be a detailed weekly schedule, which will ease the operation. A target information sheet will also be available. All three will be published on the ISOLDE web page.
· The condition of the ISOLDE visitor’s room (26-1-22) has been vastly improved. The last gain is a book shelf where once could find a couple of recent journals. It is being considered to transfer the PG meetings to that room.
· On Friday April 16, there will be a visit to ISOLDE of about 50 students from Munich.
· Deadline for “earlybird” registration for EURORIB is Sunday, April 11.
· Zdenka Kalaninova (Comenius University, Bratislava) presented the subject of her diploma thesis “Gamma spectroscopy of 253No at SHIP”.
Minutes by DTY