Present: Chris Allgower, Andy Bacher, Hermann Nann, Paul Pancella, Tom Rinckel, Sitaram Shastry, Ed Stephenson
Meeting came to order at 3:05 pm.
ELECTRONICS
Spinka replied regarding the borrowing process for electronics from Fermilab. There is now a web-based system, but more permissions are required than previously. Rinckel has experience with the new paperwork from a recent scavenging trip.
Testing of Lemo cables (~350) is well underway but not complete, and one of the two patch panels is finished. Chris inquired about putting ID stickers on these new resources (delay boxes as well as patch panels) and Rinckel will supply these.
In addition to FERAs, we still lack two CFD modules which are specified in Allgower's electronics design. We will use regular leading-edge discriminators in the channel test and try to determine whether CFDs are really necessary. A suitable CFD module can be purchased at ~$3600/each, but delivery time is significant.
FABRICATION TASKS UPDATE
Tom requested additional details regarding the field clamp around the Cooler beam pipe near the septum magnet, as this is now being built in preparation for magnetic field mapping. Hermann's sketch was produced for him.
John Vanderwerp is now detailing parts for the first scintillators, based on sketches provided by Ed and Paul. Some are now in the shop, rest will go in soon.
One of the wire chamber circuit boards has come back from the new vendor, rest should be in soon. There is one assembly step and a little machining on each before they can be wound with sense wire.
VACUUM CHAMBERS, CHANNEL DESIGN
Rinckel reports that the Septum chamber was welded, but it leaks badly, and will have to be redone.
For various reasons, the Berg design report of February, 2000 is not adequate for evaluating the beam characteristics which are now crucial for design of the channel. Several minor changes are called for due to refined knowledge of the hardware, but a major issue has arisen due to the vertical focussing effect of the septum magnet. It is not yet clear whether existing calculations are realistic enough to base design decisions on, so Pancella and Anferov will attempt to do some more refinement. In the mean time, we will begin the design of aluminum vacuum cans in the diamond configuration, since this task requires considerable lead time.
We still need to think through the exact configuration of the wire chamber at channel end, to determine that we do indeed have enough readout electronics for the required coverage. This will require another iteration on the multiple scattering calculations on the revised magnetic channel.
Andy asks whether any B vs I curves exist for the K300 quadrupole. The answer is apparently no, for practical purposes. It is not likely that we can map these quads in the time allotted, and the general consensus (with some dissenting opinion) was that doing so would not be worth the considerable delay. However, it may be a good idea to check the voltage drops on the quad coils if the opportunity arises.
LEAD GLASS
Chris is still fixing ANL detectors which failed earlier tests, mostly by replacing phototubes. It is not clear that the tubes which were replaced were in every case the cause of the problems, however the supply of spare phototubes is getting low. He also mentioned that Les Bland may request to use about 12 of the lead glass detectors we plan to use.
Chris will start consulting with Hermann on the implementation of magnetic shielding of individual lead glass phototubes.
Collaborators are alerted to the fact that an NSF site visit to IUCF is coming up in mid-December. This visit will include talks by leaders of the significant projects, as well as (probably) a poster session/reception during the evening of 12/18. Whoever is around will probably be called upon to be in attendance and able to share enthusiasm for dd -> alpha pi0.
There will be no meeting next week (Thanksgiving).
The meeting adjourned at about 4:20 pm.