12 GeV Upgrade

Preliminary evaluation of the vendor submittals for fabrication of the klystrons and superconducting accelerator cavities is complete. Evaluation continues on the vendor submittals for fabrication of the 4.5 Kelvin coldbox for the cryogenic system and for the 4-meter beam transport dipoles. Vendor submittals for fabrication of the beam transport quadrupoles have been received.

Physics

Repairs have been made on the superconducting magnet for the polarized target used in the Spin Asymmetries of the Nucleon Experiment (SANE) in Hall C. Several burned-out superconducting wires were found. These wires have been spliced using ultrasonic soldering, and the magnet is being closed up. It will be reinstalled in Hall C; if it functions properly, SANE will be able to run. The downtime due to the magnet is being used to do other work in Hall C. Improvements have been made to the SANE setup, and the high-resolution electron spectrometer (HES) and splitter magnet have been assembled. These magnets will be used in the upcoming hypernuclear experiment.

PAC 34 Call for Proposals Due Dec. 15
Proposals, updates and letters-of-intent for PAC 34 are due at the JLab User Liaison Office by close of business Monday, Dec. 15. Details can be found in the Call for Proposals and proposal submission information posted on the PAC 34 website.

Accelerator

The accelerator performed at a high rate during this period with a total of 261 hours of beam delivered to Halls A and B. The only significant event was an End Station Refrigerator (ESR) trip due to a faulty Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS). The UPS was replaced and the ESR brought back online.

Free-Electron Laser (FEL)

In the shortened holiday week, FEL staff high-voltage processed the FEL gun in preparation for operations.

Theory Center

In a recent paper (arXiv:0812.0187 [hep-ph]), a relativistic constituent quark model, previously calibrated by the nucleon and Δ(1232) physical data, is extended to the (unphysical) region of large quark masses simulated in lattice QCD. A single extra adjustable parameter - the constituent quark mass in the chiral limit - has been used in the comparison with the lattice data. A qualitative description of both the lattice electromagnetic nucleon and γN → Δ transition form factors was obtained for small pion masses, enabling a clear connection to be made between physical data and lattice QCD simulations.

JLab's Safety Numbers

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

JLab Calendar of Events

Dec. 3: Colloquium and Public Lecture
Dec. 8: BEAMS Volunteer Fair
Dec. 8-12: Muon Collider Design Workshop
Dec. 24-Jan. 2: Winter holidays/Shutdown days: JLab closed
Jan. 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday - JLab closed
Jan. 23: American Red Cross Blood Drive
Jan. 26-30: PAC 34
 

Environment, Safety, Health & Quality

Assessments and audits, when done properly, save the lab time and money. The feedback obtained from these events is crucial to improvement efforts, and in the long run, these improvements allow the lab to aggressively eliminate inefficiencies and time drains. This can have a significant impact on resource issues.

The lab's audit/assessment program is used to determine the effectiveness of its policies and procedures and to ensure that work is done safely and efficiently. Environmental concerns and quality controls are taken into account, as well as other high profile criteria.

The QA/CI Auditor/Assessor Qualification Procedure was written to provide individuals with a process and training program by which they can qualify to become an auditor/assessor. This procedure applies to any individual wishing to conduct an audit or assessment controlled by JLab or JSA. It does not apply to auditors or assessors from external organizations, such as the Thomas Jefferson Site Office, other DOE organizations, federal, state or local regulatory agencies, etc. Use of this procedure should result in high-quality feedback, thus strengthening the lab’s quality assurance program.

Announcements

End-of-Year Radiation Badge Change Out
The semi-annual OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) radiation badge change out for all badge racks will take place over the holiday shutdown. Everyone who has an OSL badge is asked to place it in its assigned slot before leaving JLab for the break. The OSL badges replaced the older TLD badges over the summer. Anyone with questions may call Becky Mosbrucker, x7236 or page 584-7236.

Last Chance to Schedule Mobile Mammography Unit Appointment for Monday
There are only a few appointment times available for the Sentara Mobile Mammography Unit. The unit will be at JLab on Monday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. This service is open to all employees, as well as their family members or friends; personal health insurances will be billed. Mammography detects breast cancer and The American Cancer Society recommends that women schedule their first or baseline mammogram by age 40. It only takes 15 minutes. To make an appointment, call 1-800-SENTARA (736-8272).

Survey to Assess Employee Concerns Programs
The DOE Office of Civil Rights and Diversity invites you to participate in a voluntary survey to assess the effectiveness of the various DOE and Contractor Employee Concerns Programs. The objective of this survey is to collect information regarding the climate for the expression of concerns to the Employee Concerns Program by federal and contractor employees. The information you provide is confidential and will be used only to evaluate the Employee Concerns Program. On April 11, 2006, Secretary Samuel W. Bodman issued a memorandum stating all federal and contractor personnel "have the right - and the responsibility - to identify and report concerns associated with safety, quality, environment, health, security or management of DOE operations without fear of reprisal." If you wish to complete the survey, you must do so by Friday, Dec. 5. To take the survey, click the link.

Children's Holiday Party
The JLab Children's Holiday Party is set for Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the CEBAF Center lobby. All children of Lab employees, contractors and users are invited. The JAG is planning crafts, snacks and a visit from Santa Claus. Each family is asked to bring a new, unopened and unwrapped toy donation for Toys for Tots. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Toys for Tots Donation Drive
JLab is again participating in the U.S. Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots toy drive. Bring in your donation of new, unopened and unwrapped toys for children ages 1-12 by 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. Marked drop boxes are located near the main entrances of CEBAF Center, VARC, ARC, Test Lab and the MCC.

Calling All Amateur Interior Designers: Ready, Set, Decorate!
JAG invites one and all to participate in its annual Door/Cubicle Decorating Contest. Decorations may go up as early as Dec. 1 and 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 food-based items in your decorations. To enter, e-mail JAG Chair Dave Williams with your name, building number and office/cube location by 5 p.m. Dec. 17. Prizes will be awarded on Dec. 22.

Children's Holiday Party Volunteers Needed
Join the fun at the Children's Holiday Party. Santa's helpers are needed, as well as craft and snack attendants. Please visit the Children's Holiday Party volunteer page to sign up.