Beam status

MCR News

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.


09 June 2026 11:04
    Update on TS1:
    
    The technical teams have stabilised the temperature of the H2 moderator,
    although this is higher than the standard operating temperature.
    The beam is now back onto TS1, and we will be monitoring the temperature
    of the H2.
    The integrity of the H2 moderator is still protected at these elevated
    temperatures.
    The technical teams are working to allow as much useable beam to the be
    delivered to the H2 instruments as possible, without compromising the
    integrity of the H2 moderator and operations on the other instruments on
    TS1.


09 June 2026 10:06
    Problems with the Hydrogen moderator on TS1 continue. Experts will make a
    decision shortly as to which course of action to take.
    Update by 11:00


09 June 2026 08:58
    Experts are still working on trying to lower and stabilise TS1 hydrogen
    moderator temperatures. A warm-up/cool-down may be required.
    Update @ 10:00


09 June 2026 06:39
    TS1 Beam off due to a problem on the hydrogen moderator Target personnel
    on site investigating the issue update to follow at 09:00


08 June 2026 19:16
    Beam ON


08 June 2026 18:54
    BEAM OFF - We are experiencing an issue with one of the extract kicker
    power supplies and are in the process of changing it for a spare. Beam
    should be restored shortly.


01 June 2026 15:18
    TS2 Timing issues have been resolved.


01 June 2026 14:55
    Attention TS2 Users: 
    
    There is an issue with Target Station 2 Instrument timing signals. Our
    equipment specialists are investigating the issue which may cause further
    problems until the cause has been remedied.


30 May 2026 18:38
    Beam back on 18:30


30 May 2026 17:52
    Still having trouble with the control of the RF systems. Machine physicist
    also on route to assist in resolving the issues.
    
    Update @ 18:45


30 May 2026 16:15
    Still having trouble with the control of the RF systems. Experts in
    currently working on the problem.
    
    Update @ 17:30


30 May 2026 14:19
    All equipment is back on, currently having control issue with the one of
    the RF system. Expert currently working on the problem from home.
    Update @ 15:30


30 May 2026 13:14
    The RF system has now been fixed. MMPS currently running up. Beam should
    be back on by 14:00


30 May 2026 09:07
    The issue with the RF system flow has been located. The fix requires a
    ceramic manifold to be replaced and new hoses are also needed. Mid
    afternoon is current estimate for works to be completed.
    Update @ 13:00


30 May 2026 07:49
    Experts currently on route to investigate the issue with the RF system.
    
    Update @ 09:30


30 May 2026 06:28
    Machine update:-
    
    We have a problem with the flow on a fundamental RF system and are trying
    to rectify the problem.


28 May 2026 18:15
    MS Beam restored to Target Station 1.


28 May 2026 16:51
    The RF issue has been resolved. The Hydrogen Moderator on TS1 is also at
    operational temperatures. We are in the process of locking up the TS1 TSA
    and will shortly be changing modes to run to both Target Stations. For TS1
    this will take an hour or so because we need to ramp beam slowly and
    monitor the Moderator parameters. We also need time to allow power
    supplies to warm up. A rough estimate for beam to TS1 is 18:00 Hours.


28 May 2026 15:53
    RF specialists are still investigating the Synchrotron RF issue. Update at
    16:30 Hours.


28 May 2026 15:22
    Experts still working on the issue with the control of the RF systems. 
    Update @ 15:45


28 May 2026 14:51
    Experts still working on the issue with the control of the RF systems.
    Update in 30 mins


28 May 2026 14:19
    Currently have a RF systems controls fault. Expert working on the issue.
    Update in 30 mins


28 May 2026 04:42
    The low beam current fault from earlier this evening has been fixed. We
    are currently off with an extract loss issue. Machine physicists are on
    their way to site to remedy.


28 May 2026 01:52
    We are currently working on the low beam current fault. We believe it is a
    diagnostics problem. We have staff on site looking at the issue. We will
    continue to beam at the lower current until the problem is sorted.


27 May 2026 11:35
    Attention Target Station 1 users:
    
    The technical teams are currently working on commissioning the spare H2
    compressor on TS1.  They are making good progress on this work, however
    there will not be any beam to TS1 today and it’s highly unlikely tomorrow.
    A further update will be provided tomorrow afternoon.


26 May 2026 16:47
    Attention Target Station 1 users:
    
    The cooldown of the H2 moderator failed this afternoon.  This was due to a
    motor failure on the compressor.  The technical teams are gathering
    information on the options available and the ISIS Leadership Team are
    meeting tomorrow morning to discuss then.  A further update will be
    provided by midday tomorrow.


26 May 2026 13:30
    Machine update:-
    
    At present the cool down on Target 1 moderators is progressing well, but
    we will have a better idea within the next few hours. We will put out a
    message early evening with an update.


25 May 2026 23:04
    Target staff have been in today and purged the H2 system which will run
    overnight. They will be back in the morning to start the cool down
    process. Please check MCR news for any updates tomorrow.


25 May 2026 18:21
    Beam restored to TS2


25 May 2026 17:54
    The faulty RF system is now operational. We are running up the Main Magnet
    Power Supply and anticipate restoring beam to TS2 by 18:30 Hours.


25 May 2026 16:39
    Our RF specialist is on site and has confirmed there is an Issue with the
    HPD in the Outer Synchrotron. We are running down the MMPS for access.
    Update at 17:30 Hours.


25 May 2026 16:19
    We have a problem with one of the Synchrotron fundamental RF systems. An
    RF specialist is coming to site to investigate. We may have to access the
    outer synchrotron to repair the High Power Drive. When we have more
    information on timescales we will give an update.


25 May 2026 00:47
    Beam restored to TS2.


25 May 2026 00:30
    BEAM OFF - The on call equipment experts are on route to site to further
    investigate the fault with the extract kicker power supply.
    
    Update @ 01:30


25 May 2026 00:11
    BEAM OFF - The beam is off due to an issue with one of the extract kicker
    power supplies and we are in contact with equipment experts.
    
    Update @ 00:30.


24 May 2026 16:40
    Attention all Target Station 1 users:
    
    Unfortunately we are still having issues with the H2 Moderator. 
    
    Following the replacement of the cooler in the compressor the cool down
    was started early this morning. By mid afternoon we usually expect to see
    some liquid in the system, but we are seeing signs of contamination.
    Despite changing multiple parameters, the system was still showing no
    signs of dropping into full liquid, so we made the decision to abort the
    cool down and setup to purge again tomorrow, aiming for a 2nd attempt at
    cool down on Tuesday. Tomorrow will see Target staff onsite to begin the
    running purges after the system warms up overnight.


22 May 2026 18:41
    MS Beam has been restored to Target Station 2


22 May 2026 16:12
    The Ion source magnet flange has been removed, cleaned and reinstalled.
    The Ion source has been refitted and is pumping down. The Ion source
    specialists did find a damaged feed through socket for the Extractor feed
    which has also been replaced. Once we confirm the Extract break down
    issues have been resolved we will run up equipment and restore beam to TS2.
    
    Work has progressed as planned on the TS1 Kaeser compressor so we are
    still on track for beam Sunday evening.


22 May 2026 12:59