12 GeV Upgrade

Detector work is well underway for the focal plane instruments for the Super High Momentum Spectrometer (SHMS) for Hall C, many of which are funded through an NSF-MRI grant. Prototype elements have been tested for the three scintillator hodoscopes at James Madison University and the quartz hodoscope at North Carolina A&T State University. Drift chamber wire tensioning and window materials have been prototyped at Hampton University. Lead glass blocks donated by the Yerevan Physics Institute and NIKHEF have been tested and re-commissioned by collaborators from Yerevan and JLab. Designs for the noble gas Cerenkov counter and the heavy gas Cerenkov counter have been prepared at the University of Virginia and the University of Regina, respectively. The College of William and Mary continues work to integrate the detailed design of the main detector support frame with the shield house. A separate support frame for the lead glass shower counter is part of the shield house itself. 

Physics

In Hall C, the Q-weak power supply and torus magnet have been tested to 9100 Amps, several percent above the current that will be used for the Q-weak run. Installation work continues on the beamline: the vacuum cans and pipes for the Compton polarimeter are being installed, the two large quadrupole magnets for the Moller polarimeter were installed, and support stands for the Moller detector system have been placed. The buildup of infrastructure, shielding and collimation before and after the torus magnet is in progress.

Nuclear Science and Engineering Scholarships and Fellowships
DOE is offering scholarships and fellowships as part of its efforts to recruit and train the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers. The Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP) will provide approximately $5 million for scholarships and fellowships for students enrolled in two-year, four-year and graduate engineering and science programs related to nuclear energy. Undergraduate scholarships will average $5,000 per year, and the maximum award for fellowships will be $50,000 per year. Applications are due by April 26. DOE anticipates notifying students by June 2010 of its selections with awards planned for July 2010.

Accelerator

The accelerator has been restored with five-pass, continuous-wave beam to the beam switchyard dump. Hall B has been taking beam. On Monday, the accelerator energy was increased by 0.7 percent. There was a cooling water leak in the east arc in the tunnel over the weekend, and the problem was addressed Monday.

Free-Electron Laser

The FEL team is making good progress on commissioning the new (for the FEL) FL03 cryomodule, with many cavities making high gradients. Vacuum work continues in the injector with cooldown of that unit planned for this week. The leaky beamline valve was replaced and improved emittance and viewer diagnostics are installed and are being aligned.

The NASA/JLab collaboration received approval of a DARPA proposal for generating and studying boron-nitride nanotubes. Results from the Light Pseudoscalar and Scalar Search (LIPSS) conducted with JLab's FEL will appear in the next issue of Reviews of Particle Properties in a special section titled Searches for Axions and Very Light Bosons under the category Gauge and Higgs Bosons.

Environment, Safety, Health & Quality

Get Garden Tools Ready for Spring
During the winter months, garages and garden sheds are often neglected. Spring is a good time to organize, clean and maintain your gardening equipment so that it is in the best shape possible for summer gardening.

Start by taking stock of your equipment. Remove any items that are beyond repair or aren''t useful. Keep your lawn mower, edger and tiller in top condition; a full tune-up should be performed on these machines once a year. A well-maintained machine can be operated more safely, reduces emissions and fuel consumption, and extends engine life. A proper tune-up includes cleaning and lubricating the body of the machine, sharpening any blades, and changing the oil, spark plugs and air filters. Be sure to clean equipment after each use and check bolts or screws that can be loosened by vibration.

Can you find your gloves, safety glasses and hearing protection? Now is a great time to locate this important equipment, too. Easily available and comfortable personal protective equipment makes it much more likely that you and your family members will use it.

Announcements

Countdown to T-Shirt Design Contest Deadline
The deadline for submissions for the 25th Annual JLab T-shirt Design Contest is March 26. Submissions should be in color, on 8.5x11 paper and include a front (pocket) and back design. Submission rules and past winning designs are posted on the JAG website.

GEN101 Annual Standards of Conduct Training
The lab is now halfway through the month during which all employees must complete a Conflict of Interest Disclosure form for 2010. Our Contract requires us to have one on file for each employee. GEN101 training includes this form. If you have not yet completed the course, you must do so within the next two weeks.

JLab's Safety Numbers

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

JLab Calendar of Events

March 25: Safety Shoe Vendor onsite
April 14-15: AVS Mid-Atlantic chapter meeting and short course
April 21: JLab Teachers Science Night
May 1: Jefferson Lab Open House