Jefferson Lab Weekly Briefs September 8, 2010

Jefferson Lab Weekly Briefs
September 8, 2010

12 GeV Upgrade

The status of detector systems for the Hall C Super High Momentum Spectrometer was reviewed at a day-long meeting on Aug. 26. Over half of the slats for the three scintillator hodoscopes are assembled and being tested. Procurement of the bars for the quartz hodoscope is progressing. Preparations are underway for the heavy gas Cerenkov counter. The support frame for the pre-shower part of the lead-glass calorimeter has arrived and is being readied for stacking of the modules. The production drawings for the spectrometer support structure now incorporate a 20-ton weight reduction after further study of the deflections when loaded with the magnets.

Physics

In Hall B, a new record was established for the polarization of deuterons using JLab's Frozen Spin Target, FROST. Following the successful completion of the g9b experiments in Hall B, the JLab Target Group replaced the polarized proton target material with a deuterated version doped with OX063, a paramagnetic trityl radical developed by the medical imaging community. Deuterons in 1,2-propanediol-D8 were dynamically polarized at 5 Tesla and 200 millikelvins to a record level of approximately 87 percent.

AIP State Department Fellowship Application Deadline is Nov. 1
Issues involving science and technology are at the forefront of the U.S.’s diplomatic agenda, making it essential for the U.S. Department of State to have knowledgeable scientific input. AIP's State Department Science Fellowship program offers scientists the opportunity to make a unique and substantial contribution to the foreign policy process. Qualified scientists at any stage of their career who are U.S. citizens, have a Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field, are members of one or more of AIP’s 10 Member Societies and are eligible to receive an appropriate security clearance are encouraged to apply. Final interviews will take place early in 2011 and the 12-month Fellowship term will begin in September 2011. For more information and to apply, visit the AIP website.

Accelerator

Accelerator Operations staffers are edging closer to locking up the tunnel during the day, although there is still a lot of work being done in every area of the tunnel. Alignment checks in the injector have been completed. Injector gun2 was successfully raised to 150 kilovolts for testing and data collection. Cryomodules 2L15 and 2L16 were cooled down without any problems. Arc 10 stands continue to be installed and aligned with forms for their grout work being set in place. Power factor correction capacitor maintenance and transformer oil sample taking continue. Upgrades to the fire system for the MCC, North and South Linac service buildings were installed. A YAG viewer was installed at 2C04. The site was cleaned up and equipment stored away in preparation for Hurricane Earl. Personnel Safety System certification began Friday in the halls and beam switchyard; on Monday, the South Linac was completed, with the exception of the radiation monitors, placing certification ahead of schedule.

Free-Electron Laser

Last week, the FEL lased in the ultraviolet for the first time. The team also made excellent progress in characterizing the performance of the laser. Initial lasing on this first UV mirror set was at 408 nanometers, with 100+ Watt power levels, corresponding in round numbers to 20 microJoules per pulse at 5 Megahertz. The laser seemed robust and stable. The operators quickly tuned down as far as 363 nm. Importantly, the 3rd harmonic of 372 nm (124nm) corresponds to a photon energy of 10 eV, and brightness levels are sufficient to support cutting-edge scientific programs.

JLab's Safety Numbers

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

JLab Calendar of Events

Sept. 20: Safety Shoe Vendor onsite
Sept. 20-21: Searching for a New Gauge Boson at JLab
Sept. 22-24: First International Symposium on the Superconducting Science and Technology of Ingot Niobium
Oct. 5: Safet Shoe Vendor onsite
Oct. 5: American Red Cross Blood Drive
Oct. 5: Science Series: Einstein for Everyone
Oct. 13-15: Nucleon Structure at Large Bjorken x (HiX2010) Workshop

 

 

 

Environment, Safety, Health & Quality

Maximo Requisition System Change Regarding Selection of Vendors for Class A or B Welding
A change to the Maximo Requisition System will take effect in early September, where additional information will be required on the first page of a purchase requisition. In addition to questions asked about radioactive material, other hazardous materials or chemicals, work onsite or required incoming inspections, one will have to answer if "Welding or Brazing is Required." When answering this question, the user will have to consider if the material or service is part of a fabrication requiring class A or B welding or brazing by the vendor. (For information regarding weld classifications, refer to ES&H Manual Chapter 6122 Appendix T6 Welding and Brazing Program). If one answers "yes," a series of three questions will need to be answered to further define the project as one involving structural welding and/or pressure systems. (For information regarding pressure systems, refer to ES&H Manual Chapter 6151 Pressure Systems).

Additionally, below the initial question, there is a link to an approved vendor list. This list contains vendors that have been pre-qualified to perform these types of welding and brazing operations. If you notice that a preferred vendor is not on the list, contact Danny Lloyd, x7121.

Further questions about this process and the Quality Assurance oversight of welding processes for purchased services/material may be addressed to Michael Martin, x5515, or Bruce Lenzer, x7586.

Computing and Networking Infrastructure

Major Systems Outage on Saturday, Sept. 18
The CNI group is currently planning a major computer systems outage for Saturday, Sept. 18, 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. During this time, all major systems will be unavailable, including e-mail and access to central file services, such as the J:, K:, L:, and M: drives, home directories, group areas, etc. All services will return to full operation by 5 p.m. For additional information, contact the IT Division Helpdesk, x7155.

Announcements

Patent Your Bright Ideas at JLab
Is something you have made or is something you are doing in your work at JLab patentable? If so, the process is simple: write it down and enter it into the online database. The Technology Review Committee will take it from there. Your patentable ideas greatly benefit both the lab and the inventor(s), starting with a $500 cash award granted by JSA to the inventor(s) for each patent issued by the Patent Office. Once a patent is licensed, JSA and the inventor(s) evenly split the resulting royalties after administrative costs have been recovered. Still not sure? For questions and help, e-mail brightideas@jlab.org.

Video of All-Hands Meetings
For those who were unable to attend one of the All-Hands sessions given by Lab Director Hugh Montgomery on Sept. 7, video of the meeting is accessible by clicking on the link here or the link posted at the top of the Spotlight News column on the Insight Front Page tab.

Performance Appraisal Update
The current performance appraisal period ends on Sept. 30, and the 2010 electronic appraisal system will go live on Oct. 1. Although there have not been many changes to the process since last year, Human Resources will offer training in September for all employees and supervisors who are new to the process or who would like a refresher. The first class is set for Sept. 9. Register for this and subsequent classes online.


Register for a Lunchtime Seminar: Dealing with Difficult People
This bring-your-own-lunch seminar will take place in CEBAF Center room F113, noon-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14. It offers tools and suggestions for confronting and diffusing behaviors that can disrupt the workplace environment, interfere with productivity and negatively impact employee morale. Registration is required due to limited space. To sign up, contact Betty Beeler, x6999, or Bruce Ullman, x7170.