The seminar held in the Conference Hall of the Dzhelepov Laboratory of Nuclear Problems was devoted to putting into operation the LINAC-200 electron accelerator. The seminar was opened by the Corresponding Member of RAS G.D.Shirkov. A series of reports was devoted to activation of four sections accelerating electrons to 200 MeV, conducting science and methodological work and holding students training in prospect. Seminar participants discussed further arrangements for accelerator automation and its implementation.

G.D.Shirkov in his report noted that in 1999 – 2000 the JINR team headed by I.N.Meshkov and N.I.Balalykin dismantled and moved from Amsterdam to Dubna 800 MeV LINAC and 950 MeV storage ring AmPs. Based on this equipment, the DELSY project was prepared (Dubna electron synchrotron), and work on assembling of a linear accelerator was launched in the building 118 of FLNP. This summer, LINAC-200 began to work: the first four accelerator sections were activated and a 200 MeV electron beam was obtained. Participants of the project spent 10 years to get this result. The facility started its work and became of high demand among FLNP physicists, especially among those who are involved in detectors production for Fermilab and other centres. Simultaneously an idea occurred that construction of a linear accelerator can be extended section by section that is very beneficial from educational point of view. Thus, physicists’ activity and demand in the accelerator from the point of view of engineering and physics staff breathed a new life into development of this accelerating project.

Current setup of the 22 MeV part of Linac-200. From left to right: main accelerator beamline, user beamline, training beamline

A formal reason for holding the seminar was activation of the LINAC-200 accelerator that was positively met by the Institute’s Directorate and scientists engaged in accelerator research. In practice, the experimental beam was acquired, and it demands, on the one side, development from the point of view of current step-up, and on the other side, organization of infrastructure.

Overview of the dedicated hands-on courses room

V.V.Glagolev, Project Leader from FLNP Directorate, noted that the seminar was fruitful, and, despite the fact that this electron accelerator is now at the stage of pre-commissioning activities, numerous teams of FLNP employees expressed a deep interest in it.

Linac-200 training beamline current setup scheme (1 — sextupole, 2 — steerers, 3 — video imaging box, 4 — Faraday cup)

Director of the Engineering and Scientific group of the UC M.A.Nozdrin made a report on the educational tasks of the scientific and engineering training at the accelerator. Vice-Director of the JINR University Centre A.S.Zhemchugov presented proposals on development of test beams infrastructure for methodical study of detectors at DLNP. Beam ejections are planned at every four accelerator sections. Consequently, bending magnets must be estimated and produced. In the nearest future, beam stability, including low-intensity beams stability, must be achieved, for the four activated accelerator sections. Establishment of a linear accelerator sector of FLNP is under discussion. Such a sector that will attract young scientists, including those from the JINR University Centre, is needed for assuring accelerator’s control automation, bringing it into operation, and holding further scientific and methodological work and students’ trainings.

The Lab Work on Vacuum Technology

It should be noted that VBLHEP Sector Director Valery V. Kobets is one of the key figures in the work of LINAC-200. Jointly with several colleagues from his sector, he has managed to activate four sections of the accelerator passed by NIKHEF (Amsterdam) in 15 years. In fact, he is only one specialist who can implement LINAC-200. In this respect, his impart of knowledge to the staff of the FLNP linear accelerator is the primary aim.

Following materials of the article by E.Molchanov, the JINR weekly newspaper