The new VXSS chamber

3 DECEMBER, 2023 | By By Antonio Lafuente

A vacuum leak has developed over 2021 in the VXSS vacuum chamber located in M2 beamline in the North Area in between the T6 target and the XTAX absorber. This leak degraded the vacuum to unacceptable levels, particularly when running in electron mode to calibrate downstream detectors, as well as for the divergence of the CEDAR counters.

After evaluating the impact of the VXSS vacuum failure for the operation of the M2 beam and its experiments it was decided to replace the chamber for a new one during YETS22/23. The advantages of the procurement versus repair strategy are several. Besides a relevant reduction in the cumulative dose linked to the intervention, the new equipment will incorporate upgrades based on the updated functional specification and the return of experience gained over the years. This will include, for instance, design modifications to improve the safety and robustness of remote maintenance tasks enabling the use of robots in this highly radioactive environment. Furthermore, the old chamber will be reconditioned as soon as its activations levels allow for it, leaving us with an extra spare chamber for the future.

2022 has been a year of great achievements as our ambitious plans unfolded. After starting with the preparation of a new functional specification and the development of a production-readiness design, we then launched a market survey that concluded with the placement of the order earlier this summer. As the year draws to an end and we enter the last stages of the fabrication process, we are getting ready for the final phase by carefully planning the intervention with other teams and groups involved for a final installation by the end of the YETS.