HOW TO READ SPS PAGE-1...

Page-1 is available on television screens in the experimental barracks, control rooms and in various places all over the CERN site. A typical example during a fixed target proton run (numbers invented) could look as follows:

 

The information is grouped in various blocks:

The beam in the machine:

CPS : The number of protons per SPS pulse leaving the PS. Calculated from PS transfo readings (difference before and after extraction).
RAMP : The number of protons per pulse accelerated to 440 GeV/cy.
FS/1 : The first fast-slow extraction to T9/1 from BCT in ring, calculated from the intensity difference before and after extraction.
EX/1 : Idem, but measured with the fast/slow BCT in the TT60 line.
SSE : The amount of protons used for slow extraction to fixed target experiments behind T1, T2, T4 and T6.
FS/2 : As FS/1, but for the second fast-slow extraction.
EX/2 : As EX/1, but for the second fast-slow extraction.

The beam at the primary targets for the slow extraction:

Intensity : The number of protons sent towards the primary target in units of 1011 protons per spill. The desired intensity per target is defined by the SPS coordinator and indicated on the SPS schedule.
Multiplicity: The ratio between the numbers of charged particles detected upstream of the target (= Intensity) and by a detector downstream of the target. This ratio depends on the length of the target, on the acceptance of the downstream detector and on calibration factors for the monitors. A multiplicity of ~ 1 implies that the beam misses the target. Mostly long targets are used and typical multiplicities should be between 10 and 20.
Symmetry: The symmetry is measured by two sets of split foil monitors. The horizontal symmetry (SH) is defined as SH = 100% - AH where AH = 100% x (Left - Right) / (Left + Right). Similarly for the vertical symmetry. The overall symmetry S is then defined as S = ((SH2 + SV2)/2)0.5.

NEW : For the targets T1, T2, T4, T6 the definition of symmetry has been generalised to include the angular steering in the symmetry. The new formula will be S = 100% . (SH . SV . BH . BV)n, with n=0.5 and BH and BV the symmetries measured at a split foil located some 30 metres upstream of each target.
The angular steering is included in the symmetry only if an 'a' is shown in front of the symmetry. If the 'a' does not appear, the old type of symmetry (without angle) is provided.

Good steering implies a symmetry better than 80%. including the 'a'

The data for the neutrino targets

Intensity: From the so-called 'neutrino-BCT' in TT60, not far from T9. The SEM intensities measured at T9 are not shown, but logged in a database.
Symmetry: As for T1, measured with the split foils at T9.
Multiplicity: As for T1, measured with secondary emission monitors at T9

The data from the experiments

For each main user behind a given target is shown:
Intensity : A singles rate detected by the experiment. This rate is transmitted via an 'experimental scaler' read through the SL-EA control system.
Spill : The effective spill observed by the experiment as calculated from the delayed coincidence of a signal with itself. The effective spill Seff is defined as Seff = Gate x Singles2 / Coincidence.

The two curves

Overlayed with the alphanumeric information there are two curves. One represents the magnet cycle, the other the instantaneous intensity in the machine.

Below the interpretation of the curves is indicated. Please note that a part of the SPS cycle is dedicated to leptons only (for LEP). That fraction of the cycle is not shown on the SPS page 1. A moving vertical line shows the present time within the cycle.


 

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