12 GeV Upgrade

As work activities related to the 12 GeV Upgrade Project pick up in the experimental halls, personnel need to be aware of changing conditions. For example, the upcoming cooldown of the large solenoid magnet in Hall D will result in changes to the Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) ratings in Buildings 200, 203 and 204. An email notification of this change was sent out to alert all employees. Personnel need to ensure that they review all current postings, even if they are entering a familiar area, and comply with their instructions.

Physics

2013 Postdoctoral Research Prize Deadline Nears
The basis for picking the top candidate includes a record of accomplishment in physics, a planned high-impact JLab physics program, proposed use of the research grant, and promise of further accomplishments in the JLab research fields in the future. All entries must be emailed to Lorelei Chopard by Jan. 4. For more information, visit the Users Group wiki.

2013 Outstanding Nuclear Physicist Award Deadline Nears
The JSA Programs Committee established the Outstanding Nuclear Physicist Award to recognize individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions, including technical achievements, to experimental and/or theoretical research related to the nuclear physics program at JLab. Nomination packages are due by Jan. 11.

Free-Electron Laser

The FEL team has held detailed scheduling meetings as members prepare for the start of operations in January. The team achieved an optical contrast ratio of nearly five orders of magnitude in the drive laser pulse contrast improvement project. Also last week, following gun conditioning, the cathode was cesiated and found to be in excellent condition.

Center for Theoretical and Computational Physics

The predictions of a three-Pomeron model for total, elastic and inelastic cross sections at high energies are confronted with new proton-proton data from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and proton-antiproton data from the Tevatron. The LHC data from the TOTEM, CMS, ALICE and ATLAS collaborations, alongside the D0 data from the Tevatron, are found to be in good agreement with the predictions. The model can be used in the future to study diffractive vector meson production at JLab in the 12 GeV era.

Engineering

The alignment group has completed the stand alignment in the west recombiner and west spreader. These stands are multi-arm stands, which each can hold multiple girders and/or bending dipoles and are difficult to align. Additionally, the group completed the preliminary alignment of all the components in the east spreader. This initial alignment is to a tolerance (+/- 1 millimeter) that allows the vacuum, electrical and installation groups to complete their necessary hookups. A final alignment to less than a quarter millimeter tolerance will follow when the other groups complete their work.

The dogleg magnets in the southwest/northeast extractor regions were checked and aligned. Using the controller box and the mechanical adjustment system, the magnets were aligned to the revised control monuments and exercised to their extreme limits. A dogleg magnet is typically moved whenever additional range is needed for path-length correction, which adjusts the phase of the beam with respect to the downstream linac. This is the first time the dogleg magnets have been moved in 15 years. Physical movement of the dogleg magnets can provide up to 24 centimeters of beam adjustment (18 degrees of radiofrequency phase), and using the magnets' magnetic deflection can provide an additional 24 centimeters and 18 degrees of phase, if needed.

Additionally, the alignment crews are providing support in all the experimental halls. Hall A's Moller magnets have been aligned; Hall B's region 2 and 3 detectors have been fiducialized; Hall C's control is being upgraded following removal of the Short Orbit Spectrometer carriage and experimental equipment; and work continues in Hall D with the alignment of the main equipment.

Environment, Safety, Health and Quality

Don't Do the "Twist & Shout"
For some JLab workers, this is a title of an old song, but for this article, it relates to an ergonomic principle. Some have have been told to not twist while holding objects, but shuffle your feet around to keep your back inline with your feet. This is good advice if you have to move while lifting and moving an object, but it is preferable not to do that at all. The "mechanical system" part of the human body is made to work and is strongest, for the most part, in linear positions. Once rotational motion is added to a linear system, body parts are not in supported positions. The strength of the system is compromised, often resulting in a very painful injury, especially if it involves the lower back.

In short, do not hold items and twist around to lay them down or even twist around to pick them up. You will be doing the old dance - twisting and then shouting in pain! For more information on proper lift technique, see this OnTarget article.

Announcements

Quark Cafe's Annual Holiday Bake Sale
Quark Cafe staff invites the JLab community to its annual Holiday Bake Sale on Thursday, Dec. 20, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The bake sale will be in the CEBAF Center lobby and include a variety of breads, holiday cakes and pies. Bread items will include potato rosemary, challah, sun-dried tomato focaccia, banana bread, apple walnut, cranberry orange, and Christmas Stollen. Cakes and pies that will be offered include chocolate truffle, Buche de Noel, Black Forest tart, cranberry cheesecake, mixed berry tart or deep dish pie, and pumpkin rolls. Other items include truffles, gingerbread cookies and small gingerbread houses. The bakery items will be available in a range of prices.

Radiation Worker Classes Offered in January
The next full day Radiation Worker I class will be offered 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Jan. 15. The next half-day Radiation Worker II class will be offered 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Jan. 22. Sign up through the Learning Management System on the website or by contacting Maya Keller, x6021.

Reminder: Limited Cafeteria Service on Friday, Dec. 21
Necessary plumbing maintenance planned for the holiday break is requiring limited Quark Cafe service on Friday, Dec. 21. On Friday morning, the cafe will be open 7-10 a.m. with a limited breakfast menu. Grab-and-go items will be available for purchase, including Dunkin' Donuts. The usual beverages, including espresso, will also be available. The hot line will be closed. The cafe will not be open for lunch. For more information, see the posted announcement.

Dosimetry Changeout Reminder
The semiannual dosimetry changeout occurred last night, on Dec. 18. If you missed it and are still wearing an orange-colored dosimeter, you can complete the changeout by bringing your dosimeter to Becky Mosbrucker in the Radiation Control Trailer 52B, Room 4.

Tracking Thomas at JLab
Little Thomas is visiting all corners of the JLab campus. If you can identify his location this week, email Kandice Carter with your guess. Guesses are accepted through Friday.

Congratulations this week go to Jason Willoughby, Debra Brand, Samika Hawkins and Doug Higinbotham, who were the first to correctly identify the location for Dec. 12. Honorable mentions go to Annie Tran, Michael Haddox-Schatz, Harry Fanning, Deborah Dowd, Anusha Liyanage, Robert Martin and Tony Dela Cruz. Check out the Tracking Thomas webpage for a better view of his last location and this week's new mystery photo.

JLab Calendar of Events

Dec. 20: Quark Cafe's Holiday Bake Sale
Dec. 24-Jan. 1: Winter Holidays and Shutdown Days - JLab closed
Jan. 3: Tidewater Regional Fire Academy Graduation
Jan. 7: Safety Shoe vendor onsite
Jan. 21: Martin Luther King Day holiday - JLab closed
Jan. 28: Safety Shoe vendor onsite