Beam status

MCR News

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.
    
    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