Beam status

MCR News

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
    they give us more information.


20 March 2026 21:07
    Machine update:-
    
    The problem with the east side shutters in R80, has now been rectified.


20 March 2026 20:49
    Machine update:-
    
    We have a problem with the control of the East side shutter in R80. We are
    trying to contact on call personnel for assistance.


20 March 2026 04:54
    Beam ON


20 March 2026 04:37
    We currently have a site emergency involving building R126. The fire
    brigade are in attendance. Protocol with any fire alarms is that beam is
    switched off. Please keep checking beam news for any updates.


14 March 2026 21:37
    Machine update:-
    
    MS beam restored to both target stations @ 21:30hrs.


14 March 2026 19:00
    We have established Base rate beam to TS1 at 18:30 Hours. At 19:30 we will
    start to ramp up timing towards MS. This might be at a lower intensity
    until our Physicists can do some machine set up. If we have no issues we
    will continue to run beam.


14 March 2026 17:52
    Our Target specialists have worked through the day getting the TS1 CH4
    moderator cold. The cool down has been successful but we are awaiting for
    a few system parameters to improve before we can start beaming. As yet we
    are unsure whether we will need a little time to set up beam down EPB1. We
    will give updates as we progress through the evening.


14 March 2026 02:34
    Machine update:-
    
    Full rep rate beam on target 2 @ 02:10hrs.


14 March 2026 00:58
    Machine update:-
    
    Ion source experts are on site trying to stabilise the extract supply for
    machine setup. Beam setup will be continuing into the early hours. Update
    04:00hrs.


13 March 2026 23:11
    Machine update:-
    
    Machine physicists are setting up the machine for beam to target 2.
    Further setup required to stabilise the output. Update 00:30hrs.


13 March 2026 21:22
    Machine update:-
    
    The main magnet supply is at operational values, and the machine is setup
    for beam to Target 2 only. Machine physicists are on route to the facility
    for beam setup to target. Update 23:00hrs.


13 March 2026 18:22
    After the Main Magnet Power Supply was repaired earlier today we ran up
    all equipment in anticipation of restoring beam. We are still running up
    the MMPS AC which is a slow process due to the circuit being very cold.
    Once the AC current is at a normal operating level we will be able to
    initially set up the machine to TS2. We anticipate getting beam to TS1 on
    Saturday afternoon if the CH4 moderator is sufficiently cold. We will
    update on progress when we have further information.


11 March 2026 10:38
    Machine experts are continuing with further testing into the earth leakage
    on the Main Magnet power supply circuit. This will continue throughout the
    day, and progress updates will be issued later this afternoon.


10 March 2026 19:57
    Our Engineers have continued fault finding on the Main Magnet Power Supply
    throughout the day. As yet the cause of the earth leakage fault has not
    been diagnosed. Our Engineers are fatigued so will now reconvene and
    continue tests tomorrow morning. We will give an update at mid-day.


10 March 2026 12:03
    Electrical engineers have held meetings this morning to discuss the next
    steps in fault finding on the main magnet power supply system. They are
    currently working through component checks on the DC bias power supply and
    this will continue throughout the rest of today. An update on progress
    will be issued later on this evening.


09 March 2026 20:49
    Unfortunately after exhaustive testing of various parts of the Main Magnet
    Power Supply today there is still an earth leakage fault. The issue causes
    the DC Bias power supply to trip off when the AC is switched on. Further
    investigations will now continue tomorrow morning and we will give an
    update on progress at mid-day.


09 March 2026 16:23
    Our Electrical Engineers are testing various circuits associated with the
    Main Magnet Power Supply. Once tests in the Outer Synchrotron have
    concluded we are going to attempt a run up to see if the earth leakage
    fault on the DC Bias supply is still present. We will give an update at
    21:00 Hours.


09 March 2026 11:59
    Equipment experts have convened this morning and have formulated a plan to
    continue with fault finding on the main magnet power supply system. This
    is currently in motion but will likely take most of the afternoon to
    complete. Therefore, no beam is anticipated this afternoon. An update on
    progress will be issued at 16:00.


08 March 2026 21:01
    After fault finding and testing for 34 hours we are still yet to get the
    MMPS back up and running. The decision has been made that engineers should
    go home for the evening meaning there will be no beam overnight tonight.
    The full team of engineers will reconvene in the morning to formulate a
    plan and continue with repairs. Please check MCR news after midday
    tomorrow (09/03/26) for any updates.


08 March 2026 18:29
    Machine update:-
    
    The problem with the main magnet circuit is still ongoing. Machine
    specialist will continue to fault find this evening to try and identify
    the failure. Updates will follow.


08 March 2026 12:06
    Machine update:-
    
    Staff are still investigating the Main Magnet fault. We will update with
    any relevant news.


08 March 2026 07:33
    Machine update:-
    
    Main magnet staff were in until the early hours methodically checking
    parts of the circuitry, but unfortunately the system is still not
    operational. More staff will be attending site after 08:30hrs to continue
    investigations. Realistically there will be no beam for several hours.
    Update at Midday.


08 March 2026 02:18
    Work continues on the MMPS fault. Experts are methodically working through
    the power supply and ruling out faults at each stage as they do. Update at
    07:30hrs.


07 March 2026 23:19
    Staff are still working on the MMPS fault. They have measured the
    resistance of each superperiod in the synchrotron looking for a fault.
    Nothing untoward was found so we have locked the synchrotron back up and
    efforts are now concentrated back at the power supply. Update at 02:00hrs.


07 March 2026 20:16
    Although progression has been made with running up the MMPS, the fault
    still remains, not allowing us to run both parts of the power supply. We
    have called another expert to site to assist. Update at 23:00hrs.


07 March 2026 18:51
    Machine update:-
    
    We have progressed with the fault on the DC bias supply. We have managed
    to run it upto full power without tripping and are now disconnecting the
    diagnostics equipment, then we will try and run it up again.  Update
    20:00hrs.


07 March 2026 16:58
    Investigations are still on going into the problem with the main magnet
    power supply, an update will follow at 18:00 hrs


07 March 2026 14:08
    Machine update:-
    
    Experts are on site investigating the fault on the DC supply, further
    updates on the progress will follow.


07 March 2026 12:21
    Machine update:-
    
    We have a problem with the DC supply on the Main Magnet. Experts are on
    route to assist with repairs. Next update 14:00hrs


07 March 2026 11:25
    Beam off due to a problem with the main magnet power supply,
    investigations are being underway. Update to follow at 12:30


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.