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http://today.slac.stanford.edu

In this issue:
New Modulator Prototype Put to the Test
Stanford Grads Tour SLAC
Kid's Day 2009 Set for August 14
SLAC Safety Note: Two Solid Yellow Lines Mean No Passing

SLAC Today

Tuesday - June 16, 2009

(Photo - the Marx modulator)
The Marx modulator. (Photo by Lauren Schenkman.)

New Modulator Prototype Put to the Test

Yesterday, a team of physicists and engineers from SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory completed initial testing on a new power source, the Marx modulator, connected to its target device, and launched a yearlong test. This test will be the final step in proving the reliability of a device poised to transform the way particle accelerators are powered.

"It's been a challenging developmental program, and I'm very happy to see its successful completion," said Craig Burkhart, head of the Power Systems Development group, which began building the Marx in 2006. The device was moved last December to its current location in SLAC's End Station B, where yesterday a team from SLAC's Test Facilities, Linear Collider Research, Power Conversion and Klystron departments ended the initial testing period with success running at klystron powers above 10MW.

Read more...

Stanford Grads Tour SLAC

(Photo - in the Klystron Gallery)
Visitors enter the Klystron Gallery. (Photo by Nicholas Bock.)

Friends and family members joined Stanford graduates Saturday for tours of SLAC as part of the university's commencement festivities. More than 500 people participated in two rounds of tours, which were led by SLAC staff and graduate students.

(Photo - outside the Klystron Gallery)
Inside the Klystron Gallery. (Photo by Nicholas Bock.)

The volunteer guides provided details about the lab's science and history as tour groups traveled around the site onboard six coach busses. The route started at the Sector 0 Gate, a rarely used entrance that provides access to the far end of the linac from Sand Hill Road. Visitors were then taken along the full length of the accelerator and around PEP Ring Road, with a stop at the Klystron Gallery for a firsthand look at the equipment that powers the linac.

Kid's Day 2009 Set for August 14

Save the date! SLAC Kid's Day 2009 will take place on Friday, August 14. Stay tuned for the opening of registration in the coming weeks. In the meantime, more details are available on the SLAC Kid's Day 2009 Web site.

SLAC Safety Notes

Two Solid Yellow Lines Mean No Passing

While driving around the Loop Road, have you ever come upon a large piece of machinery moving slowly? Just when you are running late? If you could just pass the equipment, by crossing that double yellow line, the extra time saved would make all the difference—or would it?

This Hyster can carry 20 tons (40,000 lbs). If you add that to the total weight of the Hyster, then you are looking at 155,500 pounds of metal cruising down the road.

As part of the crew that moves big pieces of machinery for the lab, I have seen people forced to the side of the road just so someone can pass my machinery. I have seen people pass me on a blind, slight uphill curve. I have seen someone fail to pass me two or three times, and become so upset that their face turned purple. When I see this I wonder, "What can be so important to this person that they would put themselves and others in harm's way?"

I fear that someone trying to pass our slow-moving equipment will strike another car, electric cart, bicyclist or even a pedestrian. We heavy equipment operators do everything we can to limit time on Loop Road, and to move equipment during low-traffic hours, but like you, we have deadlines to keep. When we are out there, please have patience. I hope that after reading this article no one will ever choose to pass equipment—or any vehicle—at a double yellow line.

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