Beam status

MCR News

04 May 2026 22:57
    Machine update:-
    
    TS1 Beam Current: 148.6µA at 40.0Hz
    TS2 Beam Current: 38.7µA at 10.0Hz
    TS1 Methane Temperature: 112.3K
    TS1 Hydrogen Temperature: 22.2K
    TS1 Muon Kicker: On
    TS2 Decoupled Methane Temperature: 62.9K
    TS2 Coupled Methane Temperature: 13.0K
    TS2 Coupled Hydrogen Temperature: 18.2K


04 May 2026 20:27
    Machine update:-
    
    Machine physics experts are still working to reduce the vacuum losses
    whilst optimising beam to both Targets. We have steady 196uA beam, but the
    beam may still be fluctuating on and off for the next few hours. Update
    23:00hrs.


04 May 2026 17:59
    Next update @ 20:00


04 May 2026 17:58
    Machine setup is going fairly well, although a slight vacuum rise has been
    seen in the HEDS. Physicists are currently working on the issue and Beam
    maybe a bit intermittent until the problem is resolved.
    Any beamlines still requiring rad surveys will be done as soon as Beam is
    more stable.


04 May 2026 17:58
    Machine setup is going fairly well, although a slight vacuum rise has been
    seen in the HEDS. Physicists are currently working on the issue and Beam
    maybe a bit intermittent until the problem is resolved.
    Any beamlines still requiring rad surveys will be done as soon as Beam is
    more stable.


04 May 2026 16:09
    The issue with Modulator 3 has been fixed. Machine physicist started setup
    approximate 1 hour ago and has gone well so far. The Beam will slowly be
    increased in intensity and optimised to normal running levels.
    Update on progress @ 18:00


04 May 2026 13:50
    The Ion source is now fixed and running.
    
    We are currently experiencing problems with tank 3 filaments and an
    equipment expert is attending to investigate.
    
    Update in 2 hours.


04 May 2026 10:19
    Overnight we had an issue with one of the EPB 1 Dipole magnet power
    supplies, this has been fixed. The beam status page, which was not
    updating is also running correctly now.
    We are still having issues with the Ion Source, experts are in working on
    the problems currently.
    Update @ 14:00 or sooner if more information becomes available.


03 May 2026 23:04
    Machine Update:-
    
    We have a problem with EVB2 and the Ion source. Experts are on route to
    assist with repairs. Further updates will follow.


03 May 2026 20:02
    Machine update:-
    
    40 Hz and 10 Hz beam have now been established to TS1 and TS2 respectively
    at an intensity of 174uA.  The vacuum levels in the ring are elevated and
    still  pumping down after the kicker repairs.  Synchrotron beam intensity
    will be increased gradually over the next 24 hours as the vacuum levels
    allow.


03 May 2026 17:43
    TS1 Beam Current: 71.5µA at 20.0Hz
    TS2 Beam Current: 17.0µA at 5.0Hz
    TS1 Methane Temperature: 113.0K
    TS1 Hydrogen Temperature: 22.0K
    TS1 Muon Kicker: Off
    TS2 Decoupled Methane Temperature: 56.6K
    TS2 Coupled Methane Temperature: 13.0K
    TS2 Coupled Hydrogen Temperature: 17.7K


03 May 2026 17:30
    Beamlines cleared for beam:
    
    S2 VESUVIO
    S3 SXD
    S4 MERLIN
    S7 GEM
    S8 ENGIN-X
    S9 PEARL
    MUONS


03 May 2026 15:12
    Beamlines cleared for beam;
    
    N1 SANDALS
    N2 ALF
    N3 SURF
    N4 CRISP
    N5 LOQ
    N7 POLARIS
    N8 TOSCA
    N8A INES
    E2 SANS2D
    E3 POLREF
    E4 INTER
    E5 OFFSPEC
    E6 LARMOR
    E8 WISH
    W1 CHIPIR
    W5 IMAT
    W6 LET
    W7 NIMROD
    NILE


03 May 2026 14:09
    We do currently have base rate beam but the graph on the ISIS beam status
    page is not currently working. Staff are looking at it and will implement
    a fix ASAP.


03 May 2026 12:13
    Low rep rate beam to targets. Beam will be increased as and when machine
    tuning allows.


03 May 2026 11:04
    Overnight there was a successful repair made to the extract kicker cables.
    All equipment is now back on except the injection dipole. This is on but
    we are running it up to full current slowly due to vacuum levels. Machine
    physicists are on site ready to start tuning as soon as the vacuum has
    settled.


02 May 2026 19:21
    Over the last few days we have had an on going problem with the
    Synchrotron Kickers, expert are still in working on the issues currently.
    As a result machine setup has also not progressed as expected. Updates
    will to follow when more information is available.


28 April 2026 10:59
    Attention:
    
    Beam to the Synchrotron Room Beam Dump has ceased. Access is now allowed
    to the SRBD prohibited areas.


27 April 2026 12:14
    Attention:
    
    Beam to the Synchrotron Room Beam Dump has been established. No Entry
    barriers and signage in and around R6 should be observed at all times.


27 April 2026 11:41
    Attention:
     
    Beam to the Synchrotron Room Beam Dump will commence at 12:15 hours
    27/04/2026. This mode of operation may increase the risk of exposure to
    radiation to individuals in the R6 north ‘Bat Cave’. In 15 minutes time,
    at 11:55 hours, access to R6 north ‘Bat Cave’, Tunnel 3 stairs to R6 and
    the Chalk Pits areas will be prohibited until further notice. Tensator ‘No
    Entry’ barriers and signage have be erected to indicate prohibited areas
    and names of individuals ignoring these barriers will be recorded.
    
    Any problems please call the ISIS Main Control Room on ext. 6736


30 March 2026 08:30
    User run ended


29 March 2026 08:18
    Beam back to both Targets @ 08:00


29 March 2026 07:49
    The diagnostics issue in the linac has been fixed. Expert is currently
    working on the Kicker problem.


29 March 2026 06:23
    We have beam transmission through Tank 1 and the Kicker power supply has
    been repaired. We now have a problem with the beam toroid readings in the
    injector which prevents us from running. We are contacting a diagnostics
    specialist for support.


29 March 2026 04:07
    Tank 1 is conditioned and the Vacuum is good. However we are having issues
    getting beam through because the RF field is collapsing. It appears this
    may be a timing problem which we are investigating. We are also having
    issues with one of the Synchrotron Extract Kicker power supplies which we
    are looking into. Update at 06:00 Hours.


29 March 2026 00:46
    Conditioning of Tank 1 is progressing reasonably. We estimate we will get
    it within normal running conditions over the next two hours.


28 March 2026 23:51
    Tank 1 Vacuum has recovered well and an RF Specialist has started
    conditioning. We will give a further update once they have made some
    progress.


28 March 2026 12:42
    We have suffered a tank 1 window failure. This will mean no beam for at
    least the remainder of today. Mechanical staff are on their way to site to
    change the window. Best case scenario is that beam will be available
    shortly after midnight tonight. Please check back on MCR news around that
    time for any updates.


28 March 2026 10:41
    We are currently having a problem with Tank 1. An RF specialist is on
    their way to site. Update at 12:00hrs.


26 March 2026 12:19
    We are currently having a problem with bunch compression in the
    synchrotron. A machine physicist is in attendance to rectify the fault.


25 March 2026 19:13
    Beam back on as normal to both Target @19:05.


25 March 2026 18:46
    Beam to Target 2 dropped for Target 1, back up shortly.


25 March 2026 18:24
    Target 2 beam is back on (18:20), but will need to dropped in rep rate in
    approx 30 mins when we start to bring Target 1 back on.


25 March 2026 18:07
    Vacuum experts haven't managed to find the leak that switched off the
    Beam. Vacuum levels appear to be stable at the moment, so the machine is
    going to be run back up. Target 2 beam will be back fairly quick, Target 1
    run up will be slightly slower.
    Update @ 19:00


25 March 2026 17:27
    Vacuum experts are still investigating the cause of the leak.
    Investigations continue. Update @ 18:00


25 March 2026 14:24
    Vacuum specialists are actively investigating the Vacuum leak in EPB1. As
    yet the cause has not been identified. We will give a further update at
    17:00 Hours.


25 March 2026 11:54
    We have experienced a significant vacuum rise in EPB1. Unfortunately this
    will require access to the Outer Synchrotron to pump down the upstream
    section of EPB1 and also access to the EPB1 tunnel to carry out leak
    tests. We will update at 14:00 Hours.


24 March 2026 01:26
    Beam back on running at normal levels @ 00:45


23 March 2026 22:56
    Physicists are on their way to site to continue machine tuning. A low
    energy beams group specialist is also on route to tune the extract PSU as
    we suspect this to be an issue. Update at 01:00 hrs.


23 March 2026 21:26
    Whilst machine alignment went reasonably well, there are some problems in
    other areas of the machine that need addressing. Machine physicists are
    working on the problems. Update at 22:45.


23 March 2026 18:22
    We have successfully installed an Ion source and are currently running up
    the Linac. Shortly there will be a period of beam alignment with full beam
    returning ASAP after that.


23 March 2026 15:04
    Unfortunately we will have to change the Ion Source. We anticipate this
    will take approximately three hours.


23 March 2026 14:31
    We are experiencing issues with the Ion Source which has been the cause of
    the trips and beam instability throughout the day. Our Ion Source
    specialists are looking at the problem and we will give an update when