sPHENIX is a new detector at RHIC.

[David Morrison <morrison AT bnl.gov>]

    Dear sPHENIX collaborators,
    
    Please see the message below from ALD Haiyan Gao regarding the plan
    for the current RHIC run.
    
    Regards,
    Dave and Gunther

Dear colleagues:

 

I am writing to update you on our plan regarding the repair of the RHIC building 1004B valve box and the plan for Run 2023.

 

Since my last email, we have learned that the repair will be significantly more involved than what previously we had hoped for a more optimistic scenario. The damage is more extensive than just a weld as there are multiple shorted Blue circuits, and all are in the same cryo line. The expected access to the valve box will be next Friday, August 11^th. The estimate for the repair is 4 weeks or more following that. Given where we are in the calendar, it is therefore prudent that we end Run 2023 and start controlled warm-up now. This plan allows sPHENIX magnet to be cold until at least the end of next week and please work with CAD colleagues on this.

 

We did not come to this decision lightly and the Laboratory Director, JoAnne Hewett has been in multiple meetings concerning this plan in the last few days. We have also consulted the DOE Office of Nuclear Physics (ONP) and have their strong support for this plan. This will allow us to start the repair and the planned shutdown process so that we can start earlier with Run 2024 next year. We received the agreement from the DOE ONP to carry forward unspent FY23 funds for an expanded next year’s RHIC running.

 

I would like to thank you all again for all the great work you have been doing and will continue to do. Our collective hard work and perseverance will prevail. Thank you also very much for your understanding.

 

Best wishes, Haiyan

-- 
David Morrison  Brookhaven National Laboratory  phone: 631-344-5840
                Physics Department, Bldg 510 C    fax: 631-344-3253
                          Upton, NY 11973-5000  email: dave AT bnl.gov