Beam status
MCR News
05 March 2026 00:26
TS2 USERS - The issue that was preventing TS2 beamlines from collecting
data has now been resolved.
04 March 2026 22:19
Beam is back at @ 22:00. Machine will be left at this level overnight,
tuning will resume early tomorrow.
An expert is also looking into the problem TGT2 users are having with data
collection.
04 March 2026 22:19
Beam is back at @ 22:00. Machine will be left at this level overnight,
tuning will resume early tomorrow.
An expert is also looking into the problem TGT2 users are having with data
collection.
04 March 2026 21:03
All issues have been fixed, machine physicists currently working on setup.
Update @ 22:00
04 March 2026 19:00
We are still experiencing timing issues, experts are working on the
issues. Update @ 21:00
04 March 2026 16:27
All maintenance day work has been completed. We are currently having a
timing issue which experts are working on. Once issue has been resolved
setup will start.
Update @ 18:00
04 March 2026 12:39
Maintenance day work is going well. We have a new Ion Source in and
running with a good output. There are a few bits of work still to be
buttoned up. We will update MCR news when we are close to completing these.
04 March 2026 07:11
Please be reminded that the machine will be going off at 08:30 today for
maintenance day.
04 March 2026 03:26
Beam restored to TS1
04 March 2026 03:21
The EPB1 power supply is operational. We are changing machine modes to run
to both target stations and will restore beam to TS1 within 15 minutes.
04 March 2026 02:41
TS1 users:
Our equipment specialist is working on the problematic EPB1 power supply.
Update at 03:15 Hours.
04 March 2026 01:32
We have an issue with an EPB1 power supply. An equipment specialist is on
their way to site to investigate. We are configuring the machine for TS2
running. Update at 02:30 if beam is not restored by then.
03 March 2026 17:29
Machine update:-
Beam restored to both target stations.
03 March 2026 16:39
Machine update:-
We have a problem with the fundamental RF systems in the Synchrotron.
Experts are assisting with repairs. Update 17:30hrs.
03 March 2026 13:27
Base rate beam established back to TS1. Beam rep rate will be increased
slowly over the next 10-15 minutes.
03 March 2026 12:36
Target staff are having issues with the methane cooldown. They have
indicated that it will take in the region of another 2-4 hours. Update at
15:00hrs.
03 March 2026 10:14
Target staff have managed to get the methane moderator back into liquid
and it is cooling down. Update at 12:00hrs.
03 March 2026 06:59
Attention TS1 Users:
We have an Issue with the TS1 Methane Moderator and have disabled Beam
whilst we investigate. At 06:25 Hours there was an issue and the Moderator
started warming up. We have two Target Specialists on site investigating
and they have estimated beam will be off for two to six Hours whilst the
system recovers to operational temperatures.
02 March 2026 18:00
Machine update:-
Beam restored to both target stations.
02 March 2026 17:34
Machine update:-
We are suffering with a fault on Chip-IR's beam line radiation monitor
holding off the beam, experts are on site trying to rectify the problem.
28 February 2026 14:49
TS2 Users:
Our Target Specialist is working on the issue with the CH4 Decoupled
moderator. We will endeavour to restore beam as soon as we can. Update at
15:30.
28 February 2026 13:53
TS2 Users:
Beam is currently off to allow the CH4 Decoupled Moderator temperature to
recover because the Charge Change stalled. A Target specialist is on their
way to site to address the issue.
27 February 2026 13:59
Beam ON
27 February 2026 12:37
The main magnet power supply control system is working again. However,
during the failure of the main magnet system some of the synchrotron RF
systems suffered a failure. As a result of this we now need to gain access
into the outer synchrotron for RF equipment experts to investigate the
failed RF systems further.
Update @ 14:00.
27 February 2026 11:44
BEAM OFF - We are experiencing an issue with the main magnet power supply
control system. Equipment experts are currently looking into this.
Update @ 12:30.
27 February 2026 06:07
Machine update:-
Beam restored to target station 1, after the Methane moderator problem.
27 February 2026 04:08
Machine update:-
Target staff have managed to warm up the cryogenerator and then start the
cool down of the Methane Moderator. It will take a few more hours before
we find if these repairs have been successful. Next update 06:00hrs.
27 February 2026 01:58
Machine update:-
Machine experts are on site trying to warm up the cryogenerator that
appears to have frozen up, this process will take another couple of hours.
Next update 04:00hrs.
27 February 2026 00:57
TS1 currently unavailable due to problems with the Methane moderator
equipment experts are on route to investigate. Update to follow at 02:00 am
26 February 2026 19:54
Beam restored to both Target Stations at 19:40 Hours.
26 February 2026 18:44
Machine Physicists are working through a number of issues with higher than
acceptable beam loss. We will endeavour to restore full rep rate beam to
targets as soon as we can.
26 February 2026 17:28
All equipment is back on. We are beaming at base rate to both target
stations whilst our Physicists carry out some machine set up. We will
increase timing when beam losses are at an acceptable level.
26 February 2026 16:45
The Manifold causing the water leak in the Outer Synchrotron has been
replaced. The water leak has caused a problem with a beam loss monitor
which our diagnostics specialists are currently attempting to repair. We
are running up the Main Magnet Power Supply and if no further access is
required to the Outer Synch we should be able to restore beam in the next
hour.
26 February 2026 14:01
After gaining access to the outer synchrotron we have discovered a water
leak on a magnet manifold. Equipment experts are now in the process of
replacing the damaged manifold.
Update @ 15:30.
26 February 2026 13:20
Beam is off as we need to access the outer synchrotron to investigate a
suspected water leak.
Update @ 14:00.
25 February 2026 14:10
Beam back on running as normal to both targets @ 14:05
25 February 2026 13:14
Works on the magnet with the earth leakage fault has completed. Currently
locking up outer synch and MMPS run up will start shortly.
Update @ 14:00
25 February 2026 11:57
The Linac PSU has been successfully fixed. Work continues on the Magnet
with the earth leakage issue, currently approximately 3/4 complete. Works
should be completed around 13:00, MMPS run up will follow.
Update @ 13:30
25 February 2026 10:06
We have a fault with one of the linac PSU's. While we're off with this we
will also fix the magnet earth leakage issue in the outer synch.
Update @12:00
24 February 2026 18:23
Beam ON
24 February 2026 18:05
BEAM OFF - We are experiencing an issue with a power supply in the Linac.
Equipment experts are on site and investigating the cause of the failure.
Update @ 18:30.
24 February 2026 05:05
Machine update:-
MS Beam restored to both target stations @ 05:00hrs.
24 February 2026 03:00
Machine update:-
A new Ion source has been installed and we are now locking up the
Injector. Machine setup then needs to be completed before beam can be
restored to the Target stations. Next update 04:30hrs
24 February 2026 00:58
Machine update:-
Experts have attended site and confirmed a failing Ion source. Therefore
we will be off for approximately 2hrs whilst we perform a change. Update
03:00hrs.
24 February 2026 00:30
Machine update:-
Unfortunately the output from the Ion source has dropped approximately 1hr
ago. Measures to increase the output have failed, so experts are on route
to help with repairs, We will be running at lower levels whilst
investigations continue, with a possibility of beam off for repairs.
Updates will follow.
22 February 2026 14:17
W1 CHIPIR and W5 IMAT cleared for beam.
22 February 2026 03:50
Beam to Target Station 1 has been temporarily disabled. We have issues
with the EPB1 Beam Loss Monitors. We are calling an equipment specialist
for advice.
22 February 2026 03:10
ISIS operating schedule
Find out about our upcoming operating schedule. Cycles begin/end at 08:30 on the date specified.
| Cycle | Start | End | Target station(s) | Maintenance day(s) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/5 | 17 Feb 2026 | 27 Mar 2026 | TS1 & TS2 | 4 Mar 2026 | - |
| 2026/1 | 05 May 2026 | 12 Jun 2026 | TS1 & TS2 | 20 May 2026 | - |
| 2026/2 | - | - | - | - | Cycle cancelled |
| 2026/3 | 15 Sep 2026 | 23 Oct 2026 | TS1 & TS2 | 30 Sep 2026 | - |
| 2026/4 | 17 Nov 2026 | 18 Dec 2026 | TS1 & TS2 | 02 Dec 2026 | - |
| 2026/5 | 02 Feb 2027 | 12 Mar 2027 | TS1 & TS2 | TBC | - |
ISIS operating schedule - future years
From April 2026 to March 2027, we expect to run four cycles which will be allocated in proposal rounds 26-1 (deadline October 2025) and 26-2 (deadline April 2026).
We are currently anticipating having an extended shutdown for accelerator and beamline work from March to early September 2027. This would mean no proposal round in October 2026, and a round in April 2027 to allocate time from September 2027 to March 2028.
Machine physics schedule
Accelerator physics experiments are performed before and after each user run. The latest schedule can be seen by clicking this text.
| Date | Shift | Mode | Rep Rate | Task | Contacts | Notes |
| 3/2/26 Tuesday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | — | – | – | – |
| 3/2/26 Tuesday |
08:30–14:00 | 5 | MS/32 | Initial Injector Setup | HVC, SK | Intermittent beam to IHBS2 |
| 3/2/26 Tuesday |
14:00-16:30 | 5 | MS/32 | Commissioning IPM 11, 12, 13 | SAF, SK | Intermittent beam to IHBS2 |
| 3/2/26 Tuesday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS/32 | Initial Injector Setup and HEDS Model Measurements | BK | Intermittent beam to IHBS2 |
| 4/2/26 Wednesday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | – | – | – | – |
| 4/2/26 Wednesday |
08:30–12:30 | 5 | MS/32 | Orbit Response Matrix Measurements | REW, EA | Storage Ring Mode HEDS Chopper Required |
| 4/2/26 Wednesday |
12:30-14:30 | 5 | MS/32 | Extract Septum Scans in Bunched Storage Ring Mode | REW | Bunched Storage Ring Mode |
| 4/2/26 Wednesday |
14:30-18:30 | 5 | MS/32 | AC Dipole Testing | CJ, DPdB | Storage Ring Mode |
| 4/2/26 Wednesday |
18:30–00:00 | 5 | MS/32 | Impedance Measurements | DPdB | Storage Ring Mode |
| 5/2/26 Thursday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS/32 | Run up MMPS DC and AC, turn on RF | Crew | – |
| 5/2/26 Thursday |
08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS/32 | Initial Synchrotron Setup | BK, SK | – |
| 5/2/26 Thursday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS/32 | Synchrotron Setup | CMW, EA | – |
| 6/2/26 Friday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS/32 | – | – | – |
| 6/2/26 Friday |
08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup & LEBT optimisation tests | REW, HR, RB | – |
| 6/2/26 Friday |
16:30-18:30 | 5 | MS | SCPM Tests | DAb | – |
| 6/2/26 Friday |
18:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup & EPB Alignments | HVC | – |
| 7/2/26 Saturday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | – | – | – |
| 7/2/26 Saturday |
08:30-16:30 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | REW, SK | – |
| 7/2/26 Saturday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | DJA | – |
| 8/2/26 Sunday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | – | – | – |
| 8/2/26 Sunday |
08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | HVC, EA | – |
| 8/2/26 Sunday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | BK | – |
| 9/2/26 Monday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | – | – | – |
| 9/2/26 Monday |
08:30–12:30 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | HVC | – |
| 9/2/26 Monday |
12:30-16:30 | 5 | MS | 1RF Bucket Shape Tests | AS, DJA, (HVC) | – |
| 9/2/26 Monday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | RCS Chopped Beam dQ/dI Measurements | HR | HEDS Chopper Required |
| 10/2/26 Tuesday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | – | – | – |
| 10/2/26 Tuesday |
08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | RF Setup & Aperture Measurements | AS, ISKG, HVC | – |
| 10/2/26 Tuesday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | DJA | – |
| 11/2/26 Wednesday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | – | – | – |
| 11/2/26 Wednesday |
08:30–14:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | HVC, HR | – |
| 11/2/26 Wednesday |
14:00-16:30 | 5 | MS | Bunch Compression Setup (Theta Method) | BK, AS | – |
| 11/2/26 Wednesday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | CMW | – |
| 12/2/26 Thursday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | – | – | – |
| 08:30–14:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | HVC, SK | – | |
| 12/2/26 Thursday |
14:00-16:30 | 5 | MS | Diagnostics Measurements: Intensity monitoring, TS2 BLMs TS-1 Timing Tests |
JFG CS |
– |
| 12/2/26 Thursday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | BK, EA | – |
| 13/2/26 Friday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | – | – | – |
| 13/2/26 Friday |
08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup, incl. Halo steering tests | REW, DK, IF | – |
| 13/2/26 Friday |
16:30-18:30 | 5 | MS | LEBT Space Charge Compensation Tests | EF, OT | – |
| 13/2/26 Friday |
18:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup & Chopped Injection Scan | HVC | HEDS Chopper Required |
| 14/2/26 Saturday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | – | – | |
| 14/2/26 Saturday |
08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | BK | – |
| 14/2/26 Saturday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | DJA | – |
| 15/2/26 Sunday | 00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | – | – | – |
| 15/2/26 Sunday |
08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | HVC | – |
| 15/2/26 Sunday |
16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Beamline Surveys | HP Section | – |
Previous cycles
| Cycle | Start | End | Target station(s) | Maintenance day(s) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/4 | 18 Nov 2025 | 19 Dec 2025 | TS1 & TS2 | 03 Dec 2025 | |
| 2025/3 | 09 Sep 2025 | 17 Oct 2025 | TS1 & TS2 | 24 Sep 2025 | |
| Cycle cancelled | |||||
| 2025/1 | 29 Apr 2025 | 06 Jun 2025 | TS1 & TS2 | 14 May 2025 | |
| 2024/5 | 18 Feb 2025 | 28 Mar 2025 | TS1 & TS2 | 05 Mar 2024 | |
| 2024/4 | 19 Nov 2024 | 20 Dec 2024 | TS1 & TS2 | 04 Dec 2024 | |
| 2024/3 | 17 Sep 2024 | 20 Dec 2024 | TS1 & TS2 | 04 Dec 2024 | |
| 2024/2 | 09 Jul 2024 | 28 Mar 2025 | TS1 & TS2 | 05 Mar 2024 | |
| 2024/1 | 23 Apr 2024 | 31 May 2024 | TS1 & TS2 | 08 May 2024 | |
| 2023/5 | 13 Feb 2024 | 22 Mar 2024 | TS1 & TS2 | 28 Feb 2024 | |
| 2023/4 | 14 Nov 2023 | 19 Dec 2023 | TS1 & TS2 | 29 Nov 2023 | |
| 2023/3 | 19 Sep 2023 | 20 Oct 2023 | TS1 & TS2 | 04 Oct 2023 | |
| 2023/2 | 27 Jun 2023 | 04 Aug 2023 | TS1 & TS2 | 12 Jul 2023 | |
| 2023/1 | 25 Apr 2023 | 26 May 2023 | TS2 Only (TS1 Commissioning) | 10 May 2023 |