12 GeV Upgrade

The first articles of the two new beam transport quadrupole magnets have been received from the vendor, and testing has been started. A proposal to shift additional accelerator installation work from the 2012-13 twelve-month down to the 2011 six-month down has been studied by the Accelerator and Physics Divisions, and the follow-on detailed planning is underway. The contract was awarded for the vacuum vessels and helium vessels to be used for the 12 GeV Upgrade cryomodules. The best-and-final offers have been received from the bidders on the high-voltage power supplies needed for the radiofrequency amplifiers. The contract was awarded for the new dipole magnets to be used in the existing five-pass recirculation beam transport system.

Physics

PAC Proposal Deadline Approaching
PAC 35 will continue the annual call for proposals for 12 GeV science and user commitments to the construction of experimental apparatus that began with PAC 30. Proposals for PAC 35 are due at JLab by the close of business on Monday, December 14. For more information, visit the PAC 35 web page.

Confessions of a Converted Lecturer
Join Harvard University Professor Eric Mazur for a special workshop and open forum on Dec. 10, from 3-5 p.m., in the CEBAF Center auditorium. He will discuss how he adjusted his approach to teaching and how it improved his students' performance by helping them learn to understand the material instead of just memorizing it. The workshop is free and open to the public.

JSA/JLab Graduate Fellowship Program
Jefferson Science Associates, LLC, is now accepting applications for the 2010-2011 academic year JSA/JLab Graduate Fellowship Program. Each fellowship will provide the awardee's home institution with a stipend equal to up-to-half of a normal academic year (~9 months) research assistant stipend. The awardee's home institution must agree to match at least half of the research assistant stipend from institutional or research funds. More information and an application can be found on the website. The application deadline is Jan. 22, 2010. Since inception in 1989, 149 fellowships have been awarded to students from 19 different SURA universities.

JSA/JLab Sabbatical Support Program
JSA is now accepting applications for the 2010-2011 academic year JSA/JLab Sabbatical Support Program. JSA will award living expense support for up to two faculty members from SURA member universities who will be on sabbatical or research leave at JLab. More information and an application can be found on the website. The application deadline is Jan. 22, 2010. Since inception by SURA in 1997, 18 faculty members who took their sabbatical leave at Jefferson Lab received lodging support during their sabbaticals.

Accelerator

On Nov. 24, the laser spot was moved to a new location to boost the quantum efficiency of the photocathode. The insulating vacuum pump of zone 1L06 was replaced to improve the vacuum. The next day, the injector was optimized to lower the Hall A Compton noise level. The accelerator ran well over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Theory Center

Exclusive J/Ψ electroproduction has recently been studied in the framework of the Modified Dual Amplitude with Mandelstam Analyticity model by Theory Center staff and European collaborators <arXiv:0911.2094 [hep-ph]>. The model is found to give a good description of available data over a wide range of kinematics. This framework can in future be used to model the smooth background in the extraction of tiny resonance signals in the near-to-threshold region in JLab experiments.

JLab's Safety Numbers

13 Days since Last Recordable Accident (JLab record: 331)
13 Days since Last Lost Workday Accident (JLab record: 676)

JLab Calendar of Events

Dec. 5: JLab Children's Holiday Party
Dec. 9: Science Series Lecture: Visualizations and Visual Illusions
Dec. 10: Safety Shoe Vendor onsite
Dec. 10: Confessions of a Converted Lecturer Workshop
Dec. 16: Colloquium and Public Lecture, 3 p.m., CC auditorium
Dec. 24 - Jan. 1: Winter holidays/Shutdown days - JLab closed

Environment, Safety, Health & Quality

An Electrical Engineering Support worker was testing a circuit board in a pre-fabricated test fixture. The work involved less than 50 volts; therefore, he did not need eye personal protective equipment per the ES&H Manual. After about 30 seconds of operation, a 15-volt voltage regulator overheated, even though the regulator was supposed to be protected by a fuse (the fuse was designed to fail and protect the regulator from overheating). When the regulator overheated, it burst, sending small plastic fragments into the work area and into the worker's left eye. The injured worker was driven to Occupational Medicine for evaluation. Dr. Chandler sent the worker to an offsite ophthalmologist, who removed debris, including a small plastic sliver that was embedded in the cornea of the worker's eye, making this a recordable injury. The ophthalmologist prescribed medication and recommended a day off for recovery.

In light of this incident, ESH&Q is reminding workers of the importance of regularly reviewing the use of personal protective equipment with their supervisors and within work groups, particularly for "skill of the craft" tasks.

Computing and Networking Infrastructure

On Monday, Dec. 7, the CNI group will finish the upgrade of JLab's wireless network. Here's what you need to know in order to connect wirelessly next week:

• If you have a current JLab username and password, connect to the wireless network 'jlab'. You will then register your laptop by going to http://reggie.jlab.org.
• If you do not have a JLab username and password, connect to the wireless network 'jlab_guest'. You will need the encryption key, which can be obtained by contacting the Helpdesk at x7155.

Note: The wireless network 'jlab_secure' will be taken out of service on Dec. 7.

Announcements

Mobile Mammography Unit Onsite
The Sentara Mobile Mammography Unit will be in the ARC parking lot on Dec. 7, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Appointment times are still available. This service is open to all employees and their family members or friends, since personal health insurances will be billed. To make an appointment, call 1-800-SENTARA (736-8272).

Don't Forget to Check Your Keys!
The validation of all JLab-issued keys continues through Dec. 16. All persons must validate the JLab-issued keys that they currently have in their possession. To begin the validation process, follow the link and complete the audit as directed. In addition, if you currently have any non-essential JLab-issued keys, you can return them to Dennis Merritt, Mail Stop 28G.

The second step will be a key verification for 10 percent of individuals as a quality check. This activity will occur in January 2010. If you have any questions about the validation, e-mail Dennis Merritt.

Performance Appraisals
We are nearing the last phase of this year's appraisal process. Supervisors should begin delivering appraisals to their employees upon notification that the Human Resources Review is complete. All performance appraisals are to be delivered by Dec 14. If your appraisals are not yet out of the division calibration and ready for HR Review, please move them along. HR will review and return them to you with minimal turn-around. If you have problems or questions, contact Bruce Ullman (x7170) or Cassandra Andrews (x7068).

Promotion Cycle
Promotion packages should be reviewed by the Division Leader during the next two weeks, with all final packages received in Human Resources by Dec. 7. If you have questions concerning the process, contact Doug Roeder (x7576) or Cassandra Andrews (x7068).

Winter Wonderland Children's Party
The Jefferson Activities Group is hosting a children's Winter Wonderland Holiday Party Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the CEBAF Center lobby. All children of JLab employees, contractors and users are invited. The party will feature Santa Claus, games and crafts. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Each family is asked to bring a new, unopened toy donation for Toys For Tots. Volunteers are still needed for the party, so sign up now online!

Toys for Tots Toy Drive Underway
Bring in your donation of new, unopened toys for children ages 1-12 and deposit them in the collection boxes. Local Marines will pick up the toys and distribute them to children in need. The deadline for bringing in donations is noon on Saturday, Dec. 5. Marked drop boxes are located near the main entrances of CEBAF Center, VARC, ARC, Test Lab and the MCC.

Door and Cubicle Decorating Contest
Prizes will be awarded for the Best Decorated, Most Original Decoration and the Silliest. All employees, users and contractors with an office or cubicle at JLab may enter the contest (individuals and groups). To enter, e-mail JAG Chair Dave Williams by 5 p.m. Dec. 16. Include your name(s), building number and office/cube location. Judging will take place Dec. 17 and 18. Decorations should be taken down by Jan. 5. Decorating materials should be fire resistant, and only UL-approved lighting/electronics may be used. Don’t use opened food items in your decorations. For instance, wrapped candy canes are O.K.; unwrapped cookies are not.