Powered by Indico
v3.1.1
Bi-monthly meeting of MIT-BNL He3-ABS Collaboration
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Eastern
Location: Virtual
Attendees:
- Prajwal MohanMurthy (MIT)
- Frank Rathmann (BNL)
- Haixin Huang (BNL)
- James E. Kelsey (MIT)
- Deepak Raparia (BNL)
- Joe Dodge (MIT)
1. Administrative Updates
- DOE Grant Submission:
Prajwal confirmed the submission of the new DOE grant proposal to develop the AGS apparatus.
Internal MIT LNS deadline was November 5, 2025, but it was submitted early to accommodate MIT’s Institutional Sponsored Research Office and the holiday closure.
Proposal was submitted to the MIT LNS office yesterday and will now proceed to DOE.
The proposal includes full budget justification and is compliant with DOE guidelines.
2. Technical Progress
- Analyzer Magnet:
Work is ongoing to rebuild and clean the second [analyzer] magnet.
Several fringe magnets were found broken during storage and shipment (four of eight total).
Replacement magnets have been ordered from the existing supplier; however, rare-earth export restrictions may delay delivery.
Prajwal will meet with Ernie and Jim next week at Bates to explore alternative or domestic suppliers.
Frank suggested contacting VAC (Vacuumschmelze) in the U.S. as a potential supplier unaffected by export restrictions.
The first magnet is intact and undergoing surface cleaning.
Fluffy dust removal is ongoing; hard-adhered magnetic particles likely remain.
- Cryogenic Components:
Joe fabricated the PEEK skirt for differential pumping below the cryo nozzle.
All brazing work on the 1 K pot and 4 K sink assemblies was completed and tested under nitrogen gas.
Liquid nitrogen testing remains pending due to lack of LN2 supply at Bates. Delivery is expected next week.
Vacuum testing is underway to confirm integrity of the brazed joints.
- Gas Panel:
Brian has resumed work on the gas-handling panel, updating pressure and flow components originally built two years ago.
Pressure-differential setup (via small expansion volume) was reviewed and slightly modified.
- Quadrupole Magnet Chamber Mount:
Joe is designing mechanical mounts for both the quadrupole magnets and the RGA support system, expected within the next 1–2 weeks.
- Techs are completing the roughing pump lines on the mezzanine.
3. Schedule and Milestones
- Current funding runs through June 30, 2026.
- Goal: complete polarization testing by that date.
- Continued progress depends on outcome of DOE solicitation after.
- Potential risk: further delay if replacement magnets are not received by January 2026.
4. Personnel and Administration
- MIT Bates Administration:
Karen (grants administrator) will retire on December 31, 2025.
Abdul and Larry are currently managing proposal logistics, but there is no confirmed replacement for Karen.
Prajwal plans to discuss continuity with Bolek and ensure transition planning for grant management.
5. Next Steps and Action Items
Task | Responsible | Approx. ~Deadline
--------------------------------------------
Follow up with Ernie and Jim on alternate magnet supplier options | Prajwal | Next week
Complete LN2 cold test of 1 K and 4 K systems | Jim / Brian | Mid-November
Fabricate shimming magnet mounts | Joe | End of November
Verify RGA mounting solution (reuse previous design) | Jim / Joe | End of November
Clean quadrupole magnets and re-test vacuum in the chamber | Tech team | Ongoing
Discuss grant management transition post-Karen’s retirement | Prajwal & Bolek | Mid-November
6. Miscellaneous
- A future meeting will discuss lab space and "counting" room.
Adjourned: 10:30 AM Eastern