Various view of the PSB with upgrade complete
Various view of the PSB with upgrade complete (Image: CERN)

Welcome to the Proton Synchrotron Booster Operations site

The mandate of our group

Mandate for the LINAC 4 and PSB Section (PSB)

The section is responsible for the operation of LINAC 4 (L4) with the exception of the L4 source, and the Proton Synchrotron Booster (PSB) including their transfer lines.

Operational responsibilities for L4 and PSB involve:

  • Plan and execute the hardware commissioning, dry runs and beam commissioning after technical stops and shutdown periods;

  • Collaborating with the L4 and PSB technical coordinators for the Individual System Test planning and special requests during the shutdown periods;

  • Operating L4 and PSB during the different runs:

    • Assure and participate in the shift rota of the Proton Synchrotron complex;

    • Lead and participate in the machine coordination of L4 and PSB;

    • Responsible for the safety and coordination of access and interventions during periods of operation;

    • Set up, monitor, maintain beams and optimize their performance for the downstream machines and the ISOLDE facility;

    • Register faults and machine downtime and follow up on faults with the equipment experts with the aim to provide robust beam statistics and improve machine availability;

    • Prepare and participate in machine development sessions;

    • Responsible for the operational machine configuration and the associated settings management for L4 and the PSB, which includes the development of methods, dedicated tools and software applications.

  • Draw up and maintain operational and safety procedures for L4 and the PSB as well as beam documentation, training documentation, functional specifications, engineering change requests or other machine-related documents;

  • Take an active role in machine upgrade studies;

  • Participate in establishing and maintaining accelerator operation schedules.