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93/R-031 (CERN)
AD/ELENA run news
Laurette reported on the status of the machines, highlighting good overall performance, with fluctuations and issues with beam stability over the summer period. Key challenges included drift at transfer from AD to ELENA, quadrupole trips causing downtime (no consolidation planned during LS3…), and liquid helium level issues in the BCCCA affecting system performance (consolidation planned). Overall, the AD performance is mostly sensitive to the beam quality arriving from PS.
Beam delivery to AIABE experiment at TELMAX was particularly challenging, with various (very) low intensities required. Innovative solutions have been proposed and tested with good success, although the very low intensities remain impossible to accurately measure.
Tests of AD operation without e-cooler, to anticipate on possible issues with new e-cooler commissioning after LS3 showed that up to 70% of beam intensity can be obtained in AD, although with very degraded beam quality, nevertheless allowing to possibly recommission many AD systems.
An attempt was performed to generate pbars with lead ion beams, with mitigated success.
It was decided to increase the e-cooler collector voltage by 10 volts to try and overcome vac spikes/sparking issues.
LS3 planning overview
Francois presented the status of the LS3 planning, reviewing key dates and activities for the upcoming period starting next Monday, August 31st, with the machine being down for over two years. Main activities include AD ring magnets refurbishment, AD e-cooler swap, and major work on cooling, HVAC, and demineralized water systems (details in next talk provided by Alejandro). Service disruptions are expected, including interruptions in demineralized water supply, cooling/ventilation in the hall between March and September 2027, and planned annual power cuts on October 17th 2026, and October 9th 2027. A go-no-go review for the electron cooler replacement was confirmed for December 14th.
LS3 activities will begin next week after beam shutdown with gangway installation to TELMAX, magnets inspection in AD, EPC, RF and e-cooler tests (no access in AD machine) and then geometric survey of the main magnets. The FCENS will take place on Friday morning the 4th. Magnet extraction for refurbishment will in November, with the electron cooler replacement scheduled for February next year. Francois indicated that while the planning is dense, it is manageable within existing contingency periods, with the electron cooler swap identified as the most technically challenging component and cooling water availability confirmed for Elena operations.
The cooling water schedule, which will continue until September 14th without interruption, after which the system will switch to the smaller pump. The team addressed questions about the AUG test scheduled for October 17th, with Alexandre suggesting it would be best to stop all differential pumping system operations the day before to avoid issues. Stochastic cooling PU warm up planned W39 and 40, TBC in the light of AUG tests (action Alexandre and Wolfgang).
Planned CV services disruptions
Alejandro discussed a detailed timeline for dismantling and renovating the cooling station and associated infrastructure from September 2026 to December 2027. Key points included switching to a smaller pump in September, asbestos dismantling starting September 21, stopping the cooling station by November 30, and restarting operations in late 2027. The group also addressed concerns about crane usage during renovations. lHe should be possible to be kept throughout the works.
Demi water will also be interrupted on 26th October 27 for reconnection to the main system and adjustments.
The coactivity in room 407 is to be reviewed between CV, EL and EPC. THE should be kept informed of the transports planned there.
The disruption dates for drinking water that will affect both 193 and 93 are not known yet, but they are expected to be short (a few hours at maximum). More details to be communicated when available.
AOB
Barbara requested that crane operations be limited to working hours (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM) to minimize disruption to their magnetic field measurements, and if possible even no later that 2:00 PM. She also indicated that BASE is no more sensitive to pressure changes in the He recovery line, which is good news.
Christophe questioned the opportunity of dismantling cold converters in 195. The existing ECR shall be reactivated (action: Bertrand).
Wolfgang asked about the consolidation programme for stochastic cooling. This shall be discussed offline.
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