Minutes from ISOLDE Physics Group meeting, 22nd June 2016.

No comments to the minutes from the previous PG meeting: 

Please read the minutes.

Technical news:

ISOLDE:     

• The strange behaviour last week of the controls all showing green/ok, but elements were actually turned off is still being investigated.
  
  • No obvious reason was found.
  • Lefteris is working on a new software that will show real time data, without going through the INCA software layer.
• GPS:
  
  • On Thursday the machine was switched to run negative ion beams.
  • The beam elements were sensitive to changes due to the negative charge and a lot of beam tuning was needed to get transmission.
  • The Astatine beam was running with some success during the weekend.
  • During the switching back the cables of the machine the Hall probe on the GPS magnet was found not to have a well defined fitting position on the magnet.
    • Could explain strange mass factors which have been seen recently?
  • The machine is back to positive ion beams today.
• HRS:
  
  • RILIS tested with success the extraction of Eu from the leaking UCx target (surface ionised)
    • The cool down of the target made the leaking worse and it could not be re-used for the RILIS efficiency test.
  • There was an intervention in order to avoid front-end problems (electrode, clamps and shutters).
    • This preventive measure will also be added to the GPS later.
  • The motor of the HRS robot broke/overheated.
    • A “spare” motor will be taken from the identical MEDICIS robot.
    • By using this “spare” motor no delays are expected.

• RILIS:
  
  • They made a better tune and optimisation on Astatine than last run.
  • Switching to Bismuth on Thursday.

• REX/HIE:
  
  • 9-gap amplifier is available for beam, some modifications needed for final running conditions for this year, but as it is REX commissioning can continue running the machine in a conservative way.
  • There is still no LHe in the two Cryo-modules.
    • The cooling and monitoring is performed manually until the cavities are fully cold.
    • Taking it slow in order not to stress the recovery line.
    • All looks fine during cool down, no leaks.

• Target:
  
  • The last minute target (ThTa foils) produced for the   negative ion run performed better than expected.
    • The target was further investigated by the target group.
  • Target for Bismuth run is ready and to be installed by the robot (with “spare” motor).
  • The Pb target is a few days delayed.

Physics:

• GPS:     
  
  • Will be taking Hg-beam for biophysics. 199-Hg binding in proteins.
• HRS:
  
  • Bismuth run: Aim to study the efficiency of beta delayed fission.
  • Made systematic studies of the isomers.

Safety:

• VISITS:
  
  • There will be 2 visits this week.
  • It has been noted that we are low on helmets at the entrance.
    • More helmets will be bought.

AOB:

• INTC:
  
  • You are encouraged to participate at the INTC meeting.
    • It will give a broader overview of what is going on at ISOLDE.

There will be no ISOLDE PG meeting 29 June 2016 due to the INTC meeting.

Next meeting will be 6 July 2016.

Minutes taken by ~TEM