RFQ modulator energised and RF (Radio-Frequency) tests ongoing
RF tests are now conducted with the RFQ modulator that will power the first two klystrons in the Normal Conducting Gallery (NCG). One of the klystrons is currently being powered up in stages, using a water-based load as a dump.
Testing in Test Stand 3
The first medium beta modulator has passed the Site Acceptance Test inside Test Stand 3 (TS3) and is ready to be moved down the Gallery to the first Medium Beta RF cell.
Also in TS3, tests with RF power amplifiers are ongoing. The Spokes section will be powered by 26 tetrode-based RF power amplifiers, which are lower-power units containing both the modulator and tetrodes.
Shielding and safety preparations for commissioning of the Normal Conducting Linac (NCL)
Testing of the Material and Personnel Access Station units and PSS fencing is ongoing and expected to be completed by the end of January.
As part of preparations for the commissioning of the NCL, tunnel shielding installations are underway. This includes six parts:
- Shielding for the drop hatch shaft – concrete blocks covering the opening through the drop hatch, opposite the Ion Source.
- Construction of a concrete chicane wall by the access to the tunnel from the Front End Building (FEB).
- Completing the temporary shielding wall separating the normal conducting Linac and the spokes section.
- FEB Penetrations shielding – concrete shielding for the holes in the wall (for utilities; cables, pipes) between Ion Source area and FEB rack room.
- Alignment penetration shielding – support frame and shielding body – this is located outside on the berm.
- Faraday cup shielding – protection for radiation emitted from the faraday cup, collecting the proton beam when the accelerator is in commissioning.
Move to Campus has started - for workshops & labs
The Temporary Technical Centre previously located inside the Klystron Gallery has been stripped out and is being reinstalled in the Campus Warehouse and Labs building More labs, including the Beam Instrumentation and RF labs, are moving in to ESS Campus early this year.
Facades & external works in the Target area
Cantilever roof assembly progresses, lamellae for the final bird’s nest look is continuing and steel profiles for the façade finishing of the halls and target building outer walls is underway.
Inside the Experimental Halls
The overhead crane for Experimental Hall 1 has arrived on site and will be installed and operational by mid-February.
The bunker crane girder for the Experimental Hall 2-side bunker area is installed and will be operational by the end of this month. This crane will come in handy when installing the roof elements for the bunker.
ESS continues with the bunker concrete blocks for the west sector walls inside Experimental Hall 2. Later this spring, construction of the first two instrument stations inside this hall is set to start – for LoKI and for the Test Beamline (north sector). Beamlines for long instruments, starting with C-SPEC and BIFROST, will also commence late spring.
