ISOLDE Technical Coordination Meeting (LS3)

Tuesday 13 Oct 2026, 14:00 → 15:00 Europe/Zurich

508/1-001 (CERN)

14:00 → 14:05 General news - Review of minutes

Speakers: Erwin Siesling (CERN), Hanne Heylen (CERN), Joachim Vollaire (CERN)

minutes_2026_10_06_Draft.docx

minutes_2026_10_06_Draft.pdf

14:05 → 14:15 Safety matters

Speakers: Andreas Herty (CERN), Hanne Heylen (CERN), James Devine (CERN), Joachim Vollaire (CERN)

14:15 → 14:20 IBDRS project update - Work in the primary areas - BTY line @ 2 GeV

Speakers: Ana-Paula Bernardes (CERN), Joachim Vollaire (CERN), Melania Averna (CERN)

BTY_ITC_13_10_2026.pdf

BTY_ITC_13_10_2026.pptx

IBDRS_reporting_S40_26.pdf

IBDRS_reporting_S41_26.pdf

14:20 → 14:25 RILIS Laboratory upgrade project - Exhaust gas line re-routing - activities update

Speakers: Carlotta Porzio (CERN), Katerina Chrysalidis (CERN), Laura Lambert (CERN), Sebastian Rothe (CERN)

20261012_Rerouting_of_ISOLDE_exhaust_line_EDMS3479995_V2.docx

20261012_Rerouting_of_ISOLDE_exhaust_line_EDMS3479995_V2.pdf

• Cable work wed 14th - fri 16th
  • Thanks Erwin for the consignation
  • 3 x 1m2 bins outside of the ISOLDE sas, please do not use this for your own waste these are reserved for the decabling work with RILIS
• Resin/paint 20th-23rd
  • This includes both the platform as well as the GLM area
• Vac pipe ECR submitted for approval
  • See attachment / EDMS 3479995
• Shielding installation first 2 weeks of november - 1 week required
  • Preference for dates?
  • Scaffolding for shielding installation below platform to support shielding blocks
    • HRS closure 1 week - OK?

14:25 → 14:35 Machine related activities in the experimental hall

Speakers: Erwin Siesling (CERN), Simon Mataguez (CERN)

HT Boris tube tests:

• Started Thursday 8 Oct, finished Friday 9 Oct
• All interlocks were recovered after removal of the shielding and closure of the FE faraday-cage doors. Vacuum interlock LED HRS not working (but interlock OK).
• The assumed leaking target at GPS was actually a leaking sector valve between the HRS10 and 20 sector (with HRS20 at atm).
• GPS had a high drain current to ground due to a lose extension cable hanging to ground on the HT platform - removed and tests went OK.
• HRS more difficulties: high drain currnet to ground could not be found at first: Was due to a leaking water valve in the target coolling water system allowing the system, including the expoxy isolating tubes, with non-demineralized water from the emergency reservoir (thanks to STI colleagues for the right tip) - after purge sequence the system was clean and tests went OK.
• GPS and HRS Boris tube and FE currents comparable (better) to those measured in December '25. All info can be found in the GPS logbook 8/9 Oct '26.
• Keep in mind to add a to non-interrupted power connected auxiliary 24V power supply to the interlock cabinet during the LS.
• A.P. Bernardes request: Consignation HT GPS and HRS (request to T. Gharsa)
• YHRS.QP30-NEG issue (short to ground at patch, cable or in the machine?) - to follow up -> S. Marzari

 

Platform EPC / vacuum:

• Document on the platform structure and floor moved from in work' to 'released' (J. Devine): - 3537728 v.1 - "Design drawings for platform replacement" : https://edms.cern.ch/document/3537728/1
• Handover to OP done: HW tests ongoing (M. Lozano)
• Many thanks to the vacuum colleagues for restarting the ISOLDE Low E sectors and the RILIS colleagues for the removal of the GLM/GHM plastic protection.
• All sectors running except for GHM and HRS40: GHM's roughing pumping valve cannot be operated (to be investigated) and long existing issue with the GHM compressed air leak on the piston of the TP valve (G. Merino TE/VSC). For the HRS40 sector the ISCOOL large TPs cannot run due to being disconnected from the cooling water circuit (- and no cooling water available).
• Today, Tue 13/10 Oct, a consignation was carried out on the rack RY02=170 crate rISO-ISEG1 which concerns the sectors HRS10, 20, 30 & 40: In the view of a decabling campaign for the obsolete cables passing from the HRS zone along the RILIS lab wall. Access will not be possible at a later point when the sanswich panel walls of the new lab are installed. Consignation will last until Fri 16 or Mon 19 Oct - In the absence of E. Siesling until Wed 21 Oct, if necessary, the deconsignation can be done by another OP member ('remplace' signature set on the yellow paper - in the ISOLDE consignation map in the ICR).
• Limited time for HW tests: As of (end) Nov rerouting of the (RILIS related) vacuum exhaust tubes - no VSC til May '27.
• M. Lozano to report on the HW tests: -

REX/HIE ISOLDE: 

• REX/HIE LINAC:
  - On the list: replacement prim. pumps CMs, backing & roughing lines - Oct/Nov (after LHC LS high peak work).
  - Ongoing: Modification of the chamber of the XL9GP Quad. Chamber to be back in the machine next summer latest.
  - Additional NEG pump is to be added onto the XLN2 DBox: After re-installation end of '27.
  - Replacement of the 9 GAP structure vacuum seal to be scheduled with RF, transport and vacuum: This will require a sector opening of the REX/HIE tunnel roof to allow crane acces to lift the 9 GAP cover - to be discussed in detail with G. Piccinini & transport Y. Seraphin.
• REX Low E development:
  - Replacement of the leaking REX mass slits actuator for a bellow type one using a HIE type actuator which will be liberated during the exchange in the HEBT lines for the newer version. Under discussion/investigation M. Nieto/A. Rodriguez/E. Siesling/F. Wenander
• REXTRAP innner structure has been taken out and taken to 179. Clear traces of discharger. Work has started (J. Schoonwater, F. Wenander). Full revision of internal parts incl. moveable bender and ion source foreseen for autumn '26.

• BI work in the HEBT zone using the allocated work space between XT02 and 03 did not start yet: only when the calibration of the new PUMA DBoxes (high priority) has finished (in Prevessin) and the test bench is moved over to ISOLDE - news M. Nieto? In preparation DC, water and WIC have been disconnected form the DBoxes (13) in question to be recalibrated. 

 

Separator zones HRS & GPS:

• The field regulation rack will be the one to the left of the HRS access door (ex rack 60 position) where as the Tapestation and CAO switching will be housed in the rack at the right side. This solves issues with the length and routing of the field regulation system cables. Visit in situ with L. Nies and S. Stegemann confirmed the position. However, the space in the Tapestation rack might not be sufficient. To investigate if space for an extra rack can be created by moving the REX gas point away - but blockage new survey hole to HRS sep zone.. And/or house the tapestation FEC in the ex-entrance zone (with REX FEC) - investigating.
• AC needs to be identified (STI & MSC): Requests will go out for AC and GPS cable installation work for the field regulation rack (M. Torre). AC cabling could be less a problem (with a new contractor) where as signal cables will be an issue. TC o follow-up on this.
• DCCT boxes for HRS90 & 60 accurate DC current measurement for the field regulation systems will be placed in the HRS separator zone. The positive large DC cable to the resp. sep. magnet will go to the new box and then a new DC cable (240mm2) will go back to the magnet (M. Marreiros EN/EL, D. Giloteaux TE/MSC, M. Torre TE/MSC). Positions are being discussed with the stakeholders (S. Marzari, K, Chrysalidis, M. Duraffourg, V. Barozier).

 

Infrastructure / 197 BTY & Separators Power supplies consolidation:

• Reinforcement of the 197 false floor is ongoing (almost finsihed) (S. d'Armancourt / contractor)
• CV work as of 19/10 (A. Fournier), AC cabling (P. Gallay), DC cabling
• CV needs the EN/EL integration model of the cable trays -> has this been clarified?
  
  
• Chilled water / AC in 508 and for the 170 HVAC system is expected to be back in operation soon.. (A. Fournier). Issue o gge he flexibles ono he 170 roof (300 Kilo).
  
  

Fume cupboards GLM/GHM:

• Timeline installation exhaust duct existing fumecupboard (radioactive handling): Q2 of '27. Design validated, budget '26 allocated, installation budget to be found.
• New chemical fumecupboard: Best position on the Jura wall in the old control room. However, several issues with routing the duct out - keep 120cm between power racks and duct (can be solved), - cable tray in the way of a free duct passage through the false floor (difficult to solve..). (N. Szczepanik-Scislo, A. Fournier, V. Barozier)
  
  

Fiber Optics work:

• 2nd phase of the White Rabbit fiber optics installation (N. Simic) postponed to 14/06/27 - 25/06/27

IT cable work:

• IT cable work for the deployment of the radiation monitor system in the PUMA area has finsihed.
• L. Nies has informed about the installation of the RP detector itself (at the end of RC6) - ready for installation (J. Rosset-Lanchet HSE/TS) but waiting for the BC signature from O. Aberle.
  
  

EN/EL yearly tests: (reminder)

• AUG tests PSB/ISOLDE Saturday 17 Oct

 

Other:

• Installation of the large standing crane for IBDRS next week Wed 21- Fri 23/10: This implies the blockage of the 170 parking as well as several hours of evacuaion of 170, the SAS, and 198 and 199 buildings when the crane elements are lifted vertically (15h Fri 23/10) (G. Cnudde). A VIC will be held this Fri 16/10 (in absence of E. Siesling: if necessary can J. Vollaire and M. Lozano attend?).

14:35 → 14:40 Experiments related activities in the experimental hall

Speakers: Hanne Heylen (CERN), Oscar Fjeld (CERN)

Ongoing/planned

• COLLAPS ion source
• CRIS cleaning: first 2 weeks of November
• IDS:
  • measurements temporarily paused
  • Meeting with BI to discuss improvements 
• VITO: installation of RF-line will start
• GLM: a few days to place the equipment there to define the experimental areas and verify the mandatory adaptations that needs to be done -> last week of October

14:40 → 14:45 Experiments related activities in the experimental hall

Speaker: Erwin Siesling (CERN)

 

ISOLTRAP:

• Re-installation of infrastructure and equipment ongoing (A. Jaries)
  
  

COLLAPS/CRIS platform:

• Further discussion Thursday 15/10 at the ICL: Working towards a final solution for the mirrors pillar. Calculations done and the concept is now a 40x40 concrete pillar of blocks bolted together with a (hollow) heavy square transverse beam on top to house the two mirror boxes for CRIS and COLLAPS. Being integrated now in the overall concept of the platform. COLARIS platform integration ongoing (Vincent Barozier, Liss Vazues Rodriguez, Kara Lynch). Solution COLARIS emergency exit crinoline at the CRIS laser lab side is approved by J. Devine
• First concept of the platform to be frozen and CE design needed for a quotation and planning to set (preliminary): needed for CV to plan their installation activities and allocate resources ( N. Szczepanik-Scislo).
• Existing concrete pillars and walkway to be removed towards the end of '26 - Y. Seraphin and E. Siesling to discuss in situ for procedure and pre-actions.

 

PUMA:

• EN/EL AC cable work new contractor has started (M. Parodi, P. Gallay EN/EL). n the process of accuiring necessary access rights and collecting requests. PUMA/RL7 AC will be installed before the end of '26 (budget wise important).

 

IDS:

• 228Ac test at IDS done (?)
• Meeting held to address long existing issues at the RL4 line during LS3(request from the IDS collaboration (J. Cubis)):
  - the rigidity of the beamline support before their chamber - solution to be investigated with E. Siesling and O. Fjeld
  - a standard DBox in their line (replacing the non-standard one) - in situ to be investigated and check the IDS specific instrumentation in the line. Info on fabrication of standard ISOLDE DBox tank to gather (M. Kowqalska, W. Andreazza - action E. Siesling). Idea is to replace the existing non-standard chamber by a standard ISOLDE one.
  - a thorough fix of the ISOLDE PAM readout electronics used for their in-chamber FC - will be investigated by M. Nieto when systems come on line again.

 

14:45 → 14:55 Mechanical Workshop and other support requests

Speaker: Oscar Fjeld (CERN)

Last week: 

• Miniball table

• Patch panel under RILIS, new support and new position. 

 

• COLLAPS - modification of cage rod adapter.

 

• COLLAPS -  Shorten rotary flange rod 

 

• ASCII - modification perforated sheet 

• Cleaning of insulators in HV room 

• Demount rack close to RILIS

 

New requests: 

• Drilling holes in GPS and HRS area - Lukas
• 275 - Remove wooden storage box

14:55 → 15:00 Planned visits and AOBs

Speaker: Hanne Heylen (CERN)

• AUG tests on Saturday 17/10: reminder will be sent on Friday 16/10
• Visits

BSc physics student from UiB	24	14/10/2026 09:00
Swiss German RP association	6	14/10/2026 14:45
Oulu High School	24	16/10/2026 10:00
Physicist friends of Gulla Torvund	4	16/10/2026 15:00
CERN HR	12	20/10/2026 15:00
French Language Teacher Programme	27	22/10/2026 14:00
French Language Teacher Programme	27	22/10/2026 14:30

• INTC - 4th of November - council chamber
  • Expressions of interest were submitted
• Metal grid outside of 508 - left from RILIS concrete pouring