Beam status
MCR News
23 September 2026 15:44
Timing issues have been rectified. Beam back on @ 15:35
23 September 2026 13:19
Controls specialists are still investigating the ongoing timing issues.
23 September 2026 12:00
Investigations are ongoing with the timing issues preventing us from
running the Extract Kicker power supplies. Update at 13:00 Hours
23 September 2026 11:03
The Synchrotron BLM power supply fault has been resolved. We are now
having issues with the Kicker power supplies again. Equipment specialists
are still investigating. Update at 12:00 Hours.
23 September 2026 10:30
We are still experiencing timing issues. We also have a problem with a
power supply for the Synchrotron beam loss monitors. Diagnostics are
investigating. Update at 11:00 Hours.
23 September 2026 10:04
The issue with the power outage to timing distribution crates has been
resolved and the Kicker power supplies are on. We are now following up
with a few diagnostics issues. Update at 10:30 Hours.
23 September 2026 09:09
The issue with the Kicker power supplies has been traced to a timing
problem. There is a power outage on two controls racks in the Inner
Synchrotron. We are waiting for a controls specialist to arrive on site.
Update at 10:00 Hours.
23 September 2026 08:10
Investigations are ongoing with the Extract Kicker power supplies. Update
at 09:00 Hours.
23 September 2026 07:09
Machine update:-
Experts are on site investigating the problems with the Extract power
supplies. Update at 08:00hrs.
23 September 2026 05:58
Machine update:-
Unfortunately we have a problem with one of the extract kicker power
supplies. machine experts have been consulted, and are now on route to the
facility to assist with repairs. Update at 07:00hrs
22 September 2026 10:06
Issues with Linac modulator 1 continue, experts are investigating. Beam
may be intermittent until problems rectified.
22 September 2026 09:10
Experts believe the issue with the Linac modulator has been fixed. Beam
back on @ 09:00
22 September 2026 08:36
There is still an issue with the Linac modulator. Experts are
investigating the issues. Beam maybe intermittent.
Update @ 09:30
22 September 2026 07:44
There is a problem with Linac modulator, currently in contact with experts.
Update @ 08:30
20 September 2026 13:55
Beam back on to both Targets @ 13:55
20 September 2026 13:40
Experts have managed to fix the issue with the TGT2 interlocks. Beam will
be switch back to both Targets shortly.
20 September 2026 12:41
Experts is still working on the issue with TGT2 interlocks.
Update @13:30
20 September 2026 11:08
Beam switched to TGT1 running as there is an interlock issue with TGT2
beamlines. Experts currently looking into problems.
Update @ 12:00
20 September 2026 03:08
We are investigating a water flow fault on Target 2 secondary cooling
circuit. We will update when we have more information.
20 September 2026 00:48
Beam on
20 September 2026 00:26
Our equipment specialist is working on the fault in the Injector. There is
an issue with the phasing on Tank 2 which is causing transmission problems
alongside high beam loss. We hope to resolve the problem and restore beam
soon. Update when we have more information.
19 September 2026 23:57
Equipment is all on. We now have an issue with beamloss which we are
investigating. Update at 00:30 Hours
19 September 2026 23:33
The faulty power supply in the Inner Synchrotron has been repaired. We
have another issue in the Injector which an equipment specialist is
looking into. We hope to get beam back on soon but if not we will update
in 30 Minutes.
19 September 2026 22:52
We have a failed Trim Quad power supply in the Inner Synchrotron. We have
investigated and called an equipment specialist to assist. Update at 23:30
Hours.
18 September 2026 13:07
Beam running as normal @13:05
18 September 2026 12:41
The experts have managed to fix the issue with the Ion Source, the MCR
crew are currently running the machine back up. Beam should resume within
30 mins
18 September 2026 10:01
The Ion Source has just experienced a partial blockage. Beam will be
switch off shortly to allow experts to fix the issue. Expected repair time
is 2-3 hours.
16 September 2026 05:52
MS beam restored to both target stations.
16 September 2026 05:33
Beam set up is ongoing. Rep rates will remain low while machine physicists
continue to tune.
16 September 2026 04:03
The ion source has been run up and the output is good. Linac is run up. We
will now commence beam set up operations.
16 September 2026 04:03
The ion source has been run up and the output is good. Linac is run up. We
will now commence beam set up operations.
16 September 2026 02:58
The ion source has been inspected and a blockage was found which has been
removed. The equipment expert has refitted the ion source and is now in
the process of running it up.
Update @ 04:00.
16 September 2026 01:21
BEAM OFF - We are experiencing an issue with the ion source which caused
the output to drop. An equipment expert is on route to site to investigate
further. To do this the ion source needs to be run down, removed and
inspected.
Update @ 03:00.
15 September 2026 14:53
N6 IRIS / OSIRIS Main shutter and N6B OSIRIS have had a radiation survey
and are cleared for beam.
15 September 2026 08:32
User Run 2026-3 has started.
14 September 2026 12:32
The following have had Radiation Surveys and are cleared for beam:
MUON - HIFI
MUON - MuSR
MUON - EMU
MUON - Bending magnet
14 September 2026 06:02
Machine update:-
The following beam lines have been cleared for beam.
TS1
N1 SANDALS
N2A ALFRED
N7 POLARIS
S1 MAPS
S3 SXD
S4 MERLIN
S6 MARI
S7 GEM
S8 ENGIN-X
TS2
W1 CHIPIR
W6 LET
W7 NIMROD
13 September 2026 16:20
The following Beamlines are clear for Beam.
TS1
N8 TOSCA
N8A INES
S2 VESUVIO
S9 PEARL
TS2
E1 ZOOM
E2 SANS2D
E3 POLREF
E4 INTER
E5 OFFSPEC
E6 LAMOR
E8 WISH
05 August 2026 11:26
Emergency lighting tests have now been completed in the Synchrotron and
access is now available
12 June 2026 08:31
User run ended at 08:30.
10 June 2026 12:55
Diagnostic issue fixed, Beam back on.
10 June 2026 12:26
Beam OFF - We are currently experiencing some diagnostic issues which are
related to a faulty power supply. experts are on route. Update at 13:30.
09 June 2026 23:44
BEAM ON to both targets
09 June 2026 23:33
Vacuum in EPB1 continues to recover slowly - We are currently locking up
EPB1 and bringing magnets back on. Update at 00:30
09 June 2026 22:41
Vacuum experts have completed the leak tests and the vacuum level is
continuing to recover.
Update @ 23:30.
09 June 2026 21:08
Vacuum experts are in the process of recovering the vacuum which is nearly
at a level that will allow them to perform leak testing.
Update @ 22:30.
09 June 2026 19:56
BEAM OFF - Vacuum experts require access to EPB1 and therefore we are
unable run beam to TS2 whilst EPB1 is open.
Update @ 21:00.
09 June 2026 19:50
BEAM OFF TO TS1 - We have experienced a vacuum rise in EPB1. Vacuum
experts are on their way to site to investigate the cause of this.
We have changed modes to run beam to TS2 only.
Update @ 21:00.
ISIS operating schedule
Our upcoming operating schedule. Cycles begin/end at 08:30 on the date specified
| Cycle | Start | End | Target station(s) | Maintenance day(s) | Comments |
| 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 | 25 Mar 2026 | TS1 & TS2 | 17 Feb & 10 Mar 2027 | — |
| LONG SHUTDOWN | |||||
| 2027/1 | 16 Nov 2027 | 17 Dec 2027 | TS1 & TS2 | TBC | — |
| 2027/2 | 22 Feb 2028 | 31 Mar 2028 | TS1 & TS2 | TBC | — |
ISIS operating schedule - future years
We plan to have an extended shutdown for accelerator and beamline work from March to October 2027. The next proposal access call will open in March 2027 to allocate time from November 2027 to March 2028.
Machine physics schedule
Accelerator physics experiments are performed before and after each user run. Expand this section to see the latest schedule.
| Date | Shift | Mode | Rep Rate | Task | Contacts | Notes |
| 31/8/26
Monday |
00:00–08:30 | 4B | MS/32 | |||
| 08:30–16:30 | 4B | MS.32 | Initial Injector Setup
IPM1-3 commissioning |
BK, SK | ||
| 16:30–00:00 | 4B | MS/32 | Initial Injector Setup
IPM1-3 commissioning |
HVC | Injector and HEDS quad setup | |
| 1/9/26
Tuesday |
00:00–08:30 | 4B | MS/32 | |||
| 08:30–16:30 | 4B | MS/32 | Initial Synchrotron Setup | REW, EA | Injector and HEDS quad setup | |
| 16:30–00:00 | 4B | MS | Initial Synchrotron Setup | DJA | ||
| 2/9/26
Wednesday |
00:00–08:30 | 4B | MS | |||
| 08:30–14:00 | 4B | MS | Synchrotron Setup
EPB2 Alignment |
HVC, CJ | ||
| 14:00-16:30 | 4B | MS | RF Setup | AS | ||
| 16:30–00:00 | 4B | MS | Synchrotron Setup | REW, HR | ||
| 3/9/26
Thursday |
00:00–08:30 | 4B | MS | |||
| 08:30–14:00 | 5 | MS, MS2/8 | Synchrotron Setup
EPB1 Alignment BPM Acceptance Tests |
HVC, SK, KF | HEDS Chopper Required | |
| 14:00-16:30 | 5 | MS, MS2/8 | SP6 Bump Tests | SK | HEDS Chopper Required | |
| 16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | CMW, EA | ||
| 4/9/26
Friday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | |||
| 08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | Linac FFDD->FODO studies | SA, REW | ||
| 16:30-18:30 | 5 | MS | RF Setup | AS | ||
| 18:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | HVC, JBL | Final focus investigations | |
| 5/9/26
Saturday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | |||
| 08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS/32 | RFQ LLRF Control Tests | AS | ||
| 16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS/32 | High Intensity Running | DJA | ||
| 6/9/26
Sunday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS/32 | |||
| 08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS/32 | Half-integer resonance studies | CMW, HVC | SRM, HEDS Chopper Required | |
| 16:30-20:30 | 5 | MS/32 | Tune Scan | EA, HVC | SRM | |
| 20:30–00:00 | 5 | MS/32 | Schottky measurements | CJ | SRM, HEDS Chopper Required | |
| 7/9/26
Monday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS/32 | (run on if required) | CJ | SRM, HEDS Chopper Required |
| 08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS/32 | Space charge studies | REW, FS | BSRM | |
| 16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS/32 | AC Dipole operation for resonant driving term | CJ | BSRM | |
| 8/9/26
Tuesday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS/32 | |||
| 08:30–14:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup
HEDS Chopper Synchronisation Tests |
HVC, OC, DK | HEDS Chopper Required | |
| 14:00-16:30 | 5 | MS | TS2 Halo Checks | AB, RG, Crew | ||
| 16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | CMW, HR | ||
| 9/9/26
Wednesday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | ||||
| 08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | Diagnostics Testing (EPB1 BLM Head Amps, EPB Intensity Monitors, EPB2 MUXs, R0IM testing) | JFG (HVC) | ||
| 16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | REW, SK | ||
| 10/9/26
Thursday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | |||
| 08:30–14:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup
EPB steering magnet criticality checks |
HVC, HR, SG | +TC105 investigations with SG if possible | |
| 14:00-16:30 | 5 | MS | LEBT Optimisation & Phasensonde Training Data | REW, RB, IF | ||
| 16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | DJA | ||
| 11/9/26
Friday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | |||
| 08:30–18:30 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | REW, EA | ||
| 18:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | HVC | ||
| 12/9/26
Saturday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | |||
| 08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | Synchrotron Setup | EA, SK | ||
| 16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | High Intensity Running | DJA | ||
| 13/9/26
Sunday |
00:00–08:30 | 5 | MS | |||
| 08:30–16:30 | 5 | MS | High Intensity Running | HVC | ||
| 16:30–00:00 | 5 | MS | Radiation Surveys | HP Section |
Previous cycles
| Cycle | Start | End | Target station(s) | Maintenance day(s) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/2 | --- | --- | --- | --- | Cycle cancelled |
| 2026/1 | 05 May 2026 | 12 Jun 2026 | TS1 & TS2 | 20 May 2026 | |
| 2025/5 | 17 Feb 2026 | 30 Mar 2026 | TS1 & TS2 | 4 Mar 2026 | |
| 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 | 09 Aug 2024 | 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 |