Main Technical News:
- On GPS, Ta-GdB6 target #470 was set up and the proton scan was performed.
- The Sm yield and isobar suppression measurements with the above target were performed successfully, in spite of many technical problems, see below.
- High-intensity proton beams can now be sent to both front ends.
- Ta/W + CF4 Target #472 will be put on GPS on 5.4.12.
- On HRS, the beam has been tuned through the cooler.
- The RFQ has some issues with vacuum, try to avoid closing the valves directly in front and behind the cooler. Also, there is a problem with the extraction electrode. Will be looked into after the current COLLAPS beam time.
- The fast tape station has still some vacuum and tape-movement problems. The French group is investigating this. In the case that LA2 is needed for an experiment, the fast tape station will move.
REX/RILIS:
- There was no beam with RF on in REX trap because of a faulty amplifier, which has been replaced
- EBIS has restarted, sees electron and ion beam. The mass scan shows produced beams as expected.
- The LINAC experienced some power cuts, the 7-gap cavity does not give full power at the moment. This is being investigated.
- At RILIS, the new AC has been installed and delivers stable temperature.
- RILIS is switching to Ca now.
- The RILIS shutter for users is in preparation.
Other Information from Technical Meeting:
- Scanners: The scanner SC483 on GPS and HRS have been exchanged and calibrated, SC680 and SC482 have also been calibrated. FC748 on HRS can be used to optimize the beam, however, once there is nice beam transmission further down the line, this FC reads hardly any current. Situation similar to last year.
- Heating control: The new ramping cards (FPGA) for target- and line-heating protection have problems with power glitches. This was the reason why GPS target was found cold a few times already. This problem is being looked into. The HRS controls are still on local, which disables the card.
- Controls: The controls at all stations in the control room have several problems, which have been identified and will be tackled. A temporary solution was achieved by making the PLC communication a factor of 2 slower (so now 1s) to avoid a full memory of the respective PC.
- Working Sets: Due to the migration of the working sets one parameter was found to not have been properly configured. Emiliano checked everything, it should work fine now. However, remember to load your working set early enough before your run to make sure it is working as expected. If you encounter any problems, please contact Emiliano.
- Power fluctuations on 220V line (mentioned in earlier meetings): This is a known problem within the FOM Meeting in Prevessin. Someone there will investigate this further.
Safety:
- Some have received an e-mail saying that their dosimeter has not been read out for many months. This might be due to the faulty read-out stations close to Restaurant 1 where Jenny usually takes the dosimeters for read-out. If this is the case and your access to the hall has been revoked, go see the Dosimetry service (or contact Jenny/Magda).
- From now on, only the new SAS should be use for access (goods and people). You should no longer use the old entrance or SAS. The persons responsible for gas and general deliveries have been also informed about the entrance move. In the case your delivery cannot take place because of cars blocking the passage, please inform Magda.
- Temporary dosimeters can still only be used for a period of 2 consecutive months in one year.
Physics/Schedule:
- On HRS, COLLAPS has started with IS 529 on neutron-rich Ca isotopes. Until now, they did isotope measurements on stable Ca. Today, after proton scan and yield checks, they should start with the radioactive beam.
- On GPS, the next run will be on Hf isomers within IS 537
- On REX, there will be molecule break-up tests of HfF4
- The second part of the schedule (June – August) will not be available until after Easter.
Summer Students:
- All projects for member-state students (the first seven of our list) have been allocated a student. The backup projects (for non-member state students) have still not been contacted.
AOB:
- The current issue of the CERN Bulletin features an article about the CERN project led by Thierry Stora, aiming at producing medical isotopes at ISOLDE (http://cdsweb.cern.ch/journal/CERNBulletin/2012/14/News%20Articles/1434420?ln=en)
- The current issue of the CERN Courier features an article about a neutrino-physics related experiment from ISOLTRAP (http://cerncourier.com/cws/article/cern/49037).
- The Ge detector with the thin Be window is back from repair and has been successfully tested.
- The PC in the ISOLDE control room can be used again with the general username (details in the control room)
- Please mark the vacuum-control password and avoid asking the operators for it in the middle of the night
Presentation:
- There was no presentation today.
- Next week, there will be a seminar by George Dracoulis from the Australian National University.
- Thomas welcomes any suggestions for speakers for the seminar.
Minutes taken by SK