Accelerator
Normal Conducting Linac
Drift Tube Linac 3 was transported to the tunnel this week, and is now being fitted next to the already installed Drift Tube Linac 4 inside the Normal Conducting Linac.
DTL2, the last drift tube section to be installed before the next phase of RF conditioning and subsequent beam commissioning, will follow in November.
Cryogenics
The efforts to detect and repair all leaks in the cryogenic distribution system continue in the superconducting part of the linac. The majority of leaks found have now been repaired, paving the way for full tests of the cryogenic system for the Accelerator.
Target
The 10th inner shielding block - the north grid cooling block, with a weight of 26 tonnes - was placed inside the vessel this week.
The large pancake shielding blocks arrived to ESS on Thursday, and will be prepared for installation.
Instruments
BIFROST
With the in-bunker guide completed, installation of the out-of-bunker neutron guide for BIFROST has now started. Neutron guide casings have been placed on a support structure with crossbeams close to the instrument cave, moving towards the bunker. Optics will be inserted later.
Fit-out of the experimental cave continues.
ESTIA
This week, the vacuum chamber lids for the two Selene guides have been temporarily removed to allow for the installation of an alignment robot, metrology cart and energy chain inside the structure. Optics, in the form of mirror segments, will follow. A cleanroom tent has been mounted around the work area, to ensure an as clean as possible environment.
LSS frames
This week, installation of Light Shutter System (LSS) frames was completed in the east sector. LSS frames are now in place outside all the port tubes.
Near-term instrument activities to look forward to this autumn:
- Start of installation of Neutron Beam Port Inserts (NBPI) for FREIA and LOKI and Neutron Beam Port Plugs for the north sector ports not included in the current 15-instrument-scope of ESS. Neutron Beam Windows will follow.
- Construction start for the Test Beamline experimental cave – beginning with the casting of a base slab.
- In-bunker neutron guide for NMX, occupying the W1 beamline in the west sector of the bunker.
- Mounting of wall elements for the ODIN cave inside Experimental Hall 1.
