2010: Linac3 started in May 2010, with an ion desorption measurement run of
3 weeks, followed by source tests, which concentrated on the replacement
of the source aluminium plasma chamber with a stainless steel one.
From 2 August, Linac3 went into operational mode, starting with beam to LEIR,
in preparation for the LHC ion run scheduled for November 2010.
2007: Beam was provided to commission the SPS with the Early beam (ready for the
LHC ion programme). The Linac reached a new record of over 31uA of Pb54+ during
operation, but this intensity was difficult to sustain. More normally the
intensity was approx 25uA.
At the end of the year, beam was provided for vacuum desorption tests in the
ITFS line.
2006: In the first part of the year a Pb54+ beam was supplied to LEIR for the continuation of the commissioning programme. In the second half of the year, the beam was then supplied to eht PS, for it to commission the LHC ion beam (Early mode). During tests, the Linac managed to provide up to 30uA of Pb54+.
2005: The Linac was refitted with a new ion source (GTS - Grenoble Test Source). An oxygen beam was produced for commissioning the LEIR (Low Energy Ion Ring) storage and cooling ring. This was part of the preparation for the LHC ion programme. During the year a one month test with Pb was made.
There was no Ion run scheduled in 2002.2002 Linac3 was prepared for machine studies. In 2003, an Indium beam has been requested, this needed study. For the future LHC beams passing by the LEIR accumulator, Ion Induced Desorption from the vacuum chamber could be a limiting factor. Studies using lead ion beam were started at the end of last year and will continue this year possibly with other ions.
Equally, we would like to continue our studies on the ECRIS source and try to understand the voltage holding of the extraction system.
