The latest from the LHC

All replacement magnets required for Sectors 3-4, 1-2 and 6-7 have now been cryostated. Work is continuing to cryostat six additional spare dipoles as a precautionary measure.

In the tunnel work is well underway to open the W bellows - the large bellows between the magnets - in order to start cutting and welding work for installation of the new pressure release ports.

In Sector 3-4 the campaign to repair the damaged ‘QRL jumpers’ is going ahead. The QRL line is the network of cryogenics piping that distributes the liquid helium throughout the tunnel. Every 100 m the distribution line is connected to the magnets through pipes known as ‘jumpers’. During the incident in Sector 3-4 last September, four ‘jumpers’ were damaged. One has now been completely repaired and the remaining three jumpers are currently being repaired and should be completed at a rate of one per week.

The replacement magnet for the faulty dipole removed from Sector 1-2 has now been installed in the tunnel. Surveyors have checked the alignment and the interconnection work has already started.