DRAGON Minutes  April 11, 2006

Present: DFOT, DH, CD, LB, DF, GR, MT, CV, JP, MMP(recorder)

business arising
-----------------
* DH ordered a 300u surface barrier detector for elastics


Status of 40Ca Run
------------------
* JP says that a run was just started  at 620 keV/u (Prague magnet)
* CV shows plot of yield vs Prague magnet   (see attached)
  -  more or less everything is done
  - _maybe_ another point around ~950 necessary.  not clear.
* have beam until tomorrow (Wed April 12)
* will go one or more energy steps lower if there is enough beam
* CV shows problems with replacement SB1.  The R-normalization value got
wonky at low energies (<850 KeV/u)  (R ~ 2000-6000 rather than 1600).
Replacing with SB0 brings value back to "normal"  (1600)
* next step is to measure 44Ti charge state distributions around May 10
 
Automatic DRAGON tuning
-----------------------
* some discussion on Viennese algorithm for optimizing DRAGON separation
* DH being his normal cautious self.
* MT and JP would like to start with Q1 and Q2 to see what alrogithm gives
* MMP tried to sound intelligent and suggests using a genetic algorithm to
solve problem as well.  concept demonstrated by a summer student a few years
ago

Hardware Status
---------------
* TUDA wants to use DRAGON to measure beam energy.  will happen
every few days
  -  will start next Tues April 18
  -  DFOT will do some maintenance but will have everything back to normal
Thursday, with He in the target.

* ion gauge of MD2 went kaput.  DFOT says there are 2 new spares.  about
$200-300  each

Software Status
---------------
* JP will talk with Jane Richards about updating EPICS desktop display
  -  try it out first.  can always goes back
*  JP says that the has a whole bunch of other issues as well. he'll
prioritize.

summer students
----------------
* have 2 for the full summer
* need good project ideas for them


meeting adjourned 2:50