QUANTUM COMPUTING AT JLAB
Computations for nuclear physics using lattice quantum chromodynamics (LQCD) techniques are demanding. The JLab/LQCD initiative is installing a system with 64 AMD graphics processing unit (GPU) system that feature MI-100’s for calculations that benefit NP. This system provides an on-ramp for users toward the anticipated Frontier Exascale system at Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL). Quantum computing provides the possibility for calculations not easily accessible to these classical computing methods. The Theory group, under the Laboratory Directed Research & Development (LDRD) program, is pursuing the development of a quantum computing system in collaboration with an experimental group at the University of Virginia (UVA). The recent purchase of a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector system from Quantum Opus will allow the system to scale the number of simultaneous measurements of quantum modes.
HALL B GROUP LEADER SEARCH UNDERWAY
Due to family circumstances, Marco Battaglieri has announced his intention to return to Italy and to step down as the Hall B group leader. Marco will remain in his present role until the end of calendar year 2021.
Marco assumed the Hall B group leader position Sept. 16, 2019, after coming from the Experimental Nuclear Physics Group of INFN-Genova. Despite his short tenure, Marco made a significant impact to CLAS12 and the Hall B science program. During his tenure, the first Hall B publications based on 12 GeV data came out in Physical Review Letters, in addition to the several Hall B publications that appeared in Nature, Nature Physics and Science. Marco was also instrumental in progress toward the inclusion of novel streaming readout techniques of large-scale detectors, and folded machine learning into Hall B data analysis. Together with the appropriate detector upgrades and the capability to operate with a diverse set of polarized targets, these accomplishments will provide the CLAS12 flagship contributions to deliver on Jefferson Lab’s nuclear femtography program. Marco also served as one of the spokespersons of the BDX experiment.
The lab has assembled a committee to cast an international search to recommend a new Hall B leader. Patrizia Rossi (JLab) and David Ireland (Glasgow, UK) will co-chair this committee. The committee also includes Amber Boehnlein (JLab), Renee Fatemi (University of Kentucky), Silvia Niccolai (IJCLab, France), Joe Grames (JLab) and Jianwei Qiu (JLab).
HPS COLLABORATION MEETING NOTES
The HPS Collaboration meeting took place virtually June 23-25. The three day meeting was dedicated to three main subjects: the upcoming run, readiness for processing the data from the 2019 run and the finalizing displaced vertex search analysis of the 2016 data.
HPS is scheduled to receive beam on Aug. 23 and will be on the floor for 55 days. This is the second physics run for the experiment. The work on the various sub-systems is progressing well and on schedule to be ready for beam. The repairs to the electromagnetic calorimeter and the scintillator hodoscope are complete, with tests ongoing. The maintenance and repair of the silicon vertex tracker are in full swing at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The replacement of the modules, reassembly of the tracker and testing of the whole system will start in mid-July at the lab.
Parallel to preparations for the run, the collaboration is getting ready for processing the first physics run data. Calibrations of the calorimeter and hodoscope are ready for first-pass processing. Substantial progress has been made in the alignment of the SVT and on the track reconstruction software. The plan is to start the processing of 10% of the data in the fall.
Finally, an update on the analysis of the remaining portion of the engineering run has been given. The analysis of the displaced vertex search is complete, and the final results from the full data set are ready, waiting for the review committee approval for publication.
VOLUNTEER ACCELERATOR PROGRAM DEPUTIES WANTED - TWO-WEEK DURATIONS
If you have the ability to plan, organize and communicate - you can help support the lab as a PD! No technical background is necessary for this position. Keeping the accelerator program on track requires a focused and attentive PD. The PD shepherds the accelerator program, taking on program planning and coordination responsibilities during their tenure. The role is filled by a series of volunteers, who each agree to make the CEBAF program their principal focus at the lab for their two-week tenure. It's a great opportunity to learn about the accelerator, to meet many of the people who support it and discover how your normal work responsibilities fit into the lab's operational success. The staff in the Accelerator Operations department love to see new people engaged in running the accelerator and to share their work with other members of the lab community.
Learn more about the PD role here:
If you're ready to fill this key responsibility for a short time, send an email to our PD coordinator, Paul Vasilauskis.
SOFTWARE & COMPUTING ROUND TABLE - JULY 6
The Software & Computing Round Table is currently focusing on data analysis in high-energy physics (HEP) and nuclear physics (NP). After a survey of modern analysis tools conducted in June, the next topic will be on the reproducibility of experimental measurements and reusing experimental results long after the data are published. On Tuesday, July 6, at 11 a.m., Nicholas Wardle of Imperial College London will give a seminar called "Can we really "Re"-interpret data from the LHC?." His seminar will be a followed by an in-depth discussion among the HEP and NP community. The detailed agenda and Zoom information is available on Indico. For questions, contact Markus Diefenthaler.
DNP FALL MEETING - JULY 1 ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE
The 2021 Division of Nuclear Physics of the American Physical Society (APS) Fall meeting will take place Oct. 11-14 in Boston, MA. This is a great opportunity for all members of the lab community to share their recent results and interact with their colleagues. The program is very broad and diverse. In particular, there are many sessions that focus on JLab and EIC physics. Members of the scientific community are encouraged to submit an abstract to one of the mini-symposia or to the general sorting categories. The deadline to submit an abstract is Thursday, July 1.
PLAN NOW FOR IT HARDWARE REACCLIMATION PERIOD
As you plan to transition back to the lab for our reacclimation period, the CST Division wants to ensure that you are successful in accessing the IT services. Stuart’s recent Hybrid Work at Jefferson Lab message described the lab’s success in the transition to remote work for many staff members during the pandemic. A huge factor in this success was the ability to leverage laptops instead of desktops for the vast majority of employees working remotely. Members of the JLab Leadership Team worked together to plan and provision resources required for remote work, keeping groups functioning during the pandemic.
The CST Division now recommends laptops for most employees. While the CST Division will continue to stock small quantities of workstations and high end desktops, most of the stockroom inventory will now be laptops. Please consider the current state of your on-site, JLab-managed desktop as you make plans to transition back to the lab for the re-acclimation period. Consider the following brief checklist:
- Assess what equipment you will need to be working when you return.
- Plan for a half-day of machine updates/patches if the machine has been turned off for an extended time.
- If a system has been offline for more than six months, you will need to contact Help Desk to get the machine reconnected or rebuilt.
Please note that the Help Desk does not provide support for hardware older than five years. You should also plan how you will connect to and use IT services both from on-site and remotely.
Please visit the CST Return-To-Work Planning - Your Office Space article for guidance on assessing your office space. With the permission of your supervisor, the CST Division encourages you to visit your on-site work space prior to MEDCON 3 to assess your equipment needs. For questions, contact the CST Division Help Desk at 757-269-7155.
DOSIMETRY CHANGEOUT
Dosimetry changeout will occur on Thursday, July 1 at 9 a.m. If you will be using your dosimeter during this time, please drop it off in the white box that is attached to the USPS mailbox outside of the ES&H building by the end of the day. A replacement dosimeter will be issued within 24-hours. If you need an immediate exchange, contact Becky Mosbrucker at 757-269-7236.
NEW RAD WORKER TEST/PRACTICALS SCHEDULER
If your Rad Worker training has expired and you wish to renew it, please use our new booking tool located here. This tool is available to anyone (subcontractors, students, employees, users, etc.) with a JLab email address, however the RW-I test is still an on-site test. You will be required to enter your name and an email address to schedule an appointment. If you do not have a JLab email address, contact Becky Mosbrucker at 757-269-7236. Days and available times for testing and practicals are listed on the ES&H website.
Please note that if you are a JLab User, you must contact the User Liaison Office for available days or times.
TORNADO SIREN TEST - JULY 2
The monthly tornado warning siren test will occur Friday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m. Individuals planning to be in the Central Materials Storage Area (where the siren is located) while the test is taking place must have with them and wear two layers of hearing protection. There is no need to take cover if you hear the test. For questions, contact Tina Johnson.
DOE PROJECT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE - JULY 1
On Thursday, July 1 at noon, the DOE Project Leadership Institute will host a webinar on "Leading During Uncertain Times." You must pre-register by today, June 30, COB to attend. You may register here. To view a previously recorded webinar on "Leading Remote Work," click here.
JSAT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
Jefferson Lab's after school program for 5th, 6th and 8th grade physical science teachers is now taking applications for the 2021-22 school year. The Jefferson Lab Science Activities for Teachers program awards qualifying teachers with continuing education credits and a stipend, all while providing new teaching tools and the opportunity to build camaraderie with colleagues. “Our mission is to support science teachers in the ways they need it,” says Lisa Surles-Law. “That means that we simultaneously stay in step with them while staying one step ahead to forecast changes and needs.” To read the full announcement, click here.
WELCOME MAY NEW HIRES!
CONGRATULATIONS TO JSA POSTER PRIZE WINNERS
The JSA Poster Prizes have been awarded. There were 20 submissions in a virtual competition held during the annual Jefferson Lab Users Organization meeting. To view the poster submissions, click here. The panel judged posters based on:
- Scientific context and merit.
- Scientific accomplishment, contribution and/or innovation.
- Accessibility to the broad nuclear/particle physics community.
- Poster design, clarity and visual impact.
- Video presentation.
Congratulations to the winners!
- Murchhana Roy, University of Kentucky
- Exploring the Spin Structure of Neutron using Deep Inelastic Scattering
- Jackson Pybus, MIT
- Studying Nucleon Structure in A=3 Nuclei using Double Spectator Tagging at the EIC
- Joey Rowley, Ohio University
- New Λp Cross Sections and its Implication for Neutron Star Equation of State
REMINDER: TIMEKEEPING TRAINING & TIMEKEEPING INTERFACE TRAINING UPDATES - JULY 1
Beginning July 1, all employees will be required to attend online timekeeping training. In an effort to keep the training manageable, four short sessions have been developed. The four training sessions include:
- Employee Obligations, Expectations and Timekeeping Principles.
- Timekeeping Mechanics.
- Appropriate Leave Usage.
- Supervisory Obligations, Responsibilities and Mechanics.
All employees except hourly employees will be required to complete the first three sessions, and supervisors will be required to complete the final session. These training sessions must be completed no later than Dec. 31. All employees will also be required to complete annual timekeeping refresher training in future years. In conjunction with the timekeeping training, the Payroll team is also converting to the new timekeeping interface provided by our developer effective June 24. While the basic screen will remain the same, colors, icons and minor interface changes will be seen by all employees. For questions, email Payroll team.
DEI CORNER: GENDER IDENTITY VS. SEXUAL ORIENTATION
In honor of Pride Month, it is important to recognize and respect the variety of gender expressions, identities and sexual orientations found among our staff and community. For those unfamiliar with the subjects of gender identity and sexual orientation, the two may seem similar, since they are both represented under LGBT+; however, sexual orientation and gender identity are two very distinct and complex subjects that affect our lives in completely different ways.
Gender identity is who you are. When someone identifies as the gender they were assigned with at birth, they are considered cisgender. However, someone whose gender identity differs from what they were assigned with at birth may refer to themselves as transgender, gender fluid (not identifying as either male or female), or non-binary. Gender, from an outside perspective, is typically assumed by one’s gender expression, or the external appearance of one’s gender identity. This is demonstrated through behavior, clothing, haircut or voice, among other characteristics, but this may or may not conform to one’s gender identity.
Sexual orientation is who you are attracted to. While heterosexual (or straight) relationships between males and females are statistically the most common in society, there are many more sexual orientations that are recognized and represented across the country and across the world. The first three letters of ‘LGBT+’ represent three sexual orientations: Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual. LGBT+ can also be represented as LGBTQIA+ with the additional letters Q and A representing Queer (or Questioning) and Asexual, two additional recognized sexual orientations.
The above offers a very brief overview of the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation, with additional identities and sexual orientations not mentioned here. It is important to recognize that someone’s gender identity does not overlap with their sexual orientation. Just like cisgender people, transgender or gender fluid individuals can be of any sexual orientation.
If you are interested in doing so, Jefferson Lab invites staff to include their pronouns in written communications, such as email signatures, and to engage in conversation with co-workers and members of the community with consideration for their preferences. Our names and gender identity are inherently personal, so using a person’s chosen name and desired pronouns is a form of mutual respect and basic courtesy.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR: HYBRID WORK POLICY
Planning is now underway for making permanent changes to the lab's policies and systems for remote work. To read the latest Message from the Director on hybrid work at the lab, click here.
REMINDER: BITE-SIZE SCIENCE LECTURE SERIES - DAVID LAWRENCE - JULY 8
On Thursday, July 8 at 12:30 p.m., David Lawrence will present "AI in a Nutshell" during the ongoing Bite-size Science lecture series. The lecture series features 30-minute virtual lunchtime presentations on lab-related science, engineering and technology topics presented by leaders in their field. The presentations are tailored to non-scientists and are brief, free and feature a chat feature for Q&A with the presenters. Catch the presentation on our YouTube channel here. To view videos in the series, click here.
REMINDER: SUMMER LECTURE SERIES - JUNE-JULY
The annual Summer Lecture Series is in full swing! The annual lecture series is geared toward students arriving at the lab during the summer. However, the courses are open for all. For questions, contact Lorelei Carlson.
EVENT SERVICES ON-SITE HOURS
Beginning this week, Event Services will reestablish on-site office hours in CEBAF Center Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. This on-site schedule will remain in place during MEDCON 4. Monday through Friday on-site office hours will resume once lab status returns to MEDCON 3, or normal operations. The CEBAF Center meeting rooms L102, F113 and the Auditorium may be booked as needed through the O365 calendar; however the rooms will remain in the existing configuration while the lab is in MEDCON 4. Event Services may be reached via email or on Microsoft Teams:
- Anita Seay: Conference Services
- Josh Cameron: Food Services
- Mike Robbins: Tour Services & JLab Event Calendar Support
If on-site Event Services support is required from Tuesday through Thursday, the team can also be contacted via phone at 757-269-6930. For after-hours requests, Anita Seay, conference manager, can be reach at 804-339-2006.
REMINDER: MOMO's AT CITY CENTER ON VACATION
MOMO's owner and Quark Café operator Martha "MOMO" Bennett is taking some well-deserved time off until Friday, July 9. The Quark Café will remain open; however the store in Newport News City Center will be closed until July 9. For that reason, there will be no takeout dinner options from MOMO's for the next week. View the current June 28-July 2 menu here. For questions, contact Josh Cameron.
CONTACT
The JLab Weekly provides information on the status of safety, accelerator operations, experiments, reviews, upcoming activities and special events. Have something you want to see in the JLab Weekly? Send submissions to Rebecca Duckett.
