CERN Accelerating science

     
 

CERN
Bulletin

   
 

CLIC's three-step plan

In early October, the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) collaboration published its final Conceptual Design Report. Accompanying it was a strategic summary document that describes a whole new approach to the project: developing the linear e+e− collider in three energy stages. Though CLIC’s future still depends on signs from the LHC, its new staged approach to high-energy electron-positron physics for the post-LHC era is nothing short of convincing. >>

Towards a wider dialogue

This week, I had the rewarding experience of taking part in a Wilton Park meeting examining three very different world-views: science, philosophy and theology. Wilton Park describes itself as a forum for analysing and advancing the agenda on global policy challenges, and over the years it has developed an enviable reputation for delivering authoritative reports drawn from bringing international experts together under the same roof for two days to discuss issues of topical relevance. >>

LHC Report: Ticking over

The past two weeks have seen luminosity production rates vary somewhat but the overall upwards slope has remained steady. Over 17 fb-1 have been delivered to both ATLAS and CMS; LHCb is also doing well, with around 1.6 fb-1 delivered so far in 2012. The proton physics production also slotted in a five-day machine development period (Monday 8 to Saturday 13 October). >>

On the horizon for ALICE

ALICE – the LHC experiment specifically designed to study the physics of the Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) and, more generally, of strongly interacting matter at extreme energy densities – is planning a series of upgrades during the long shutdowns of the accelerator in the coming years. The new ALICE will have enhanced read-out capabilities and improved efficiency when tracking particles and identifying the vertex of the interactions. >>

Like hams in a smokehouse

Hall SM18 is now fitted out for testing magnet prototypes developed for the successors of the LHC. Testing is conducted vertically, for greater convenience. >>

Lasers take physicists back to school

This week saw the First International School on Laser Applications at Accelerators held in GANIL (France). Organised by the LA3NET project – of which CERN is a partner – the school was a singular opportunity for accelerator and laser physicists to meet and discuss the future of the merging areas. >>

Science by the young for the young

At last week's "Fête de la science", CERN hosted students from Geneva and the Pays de Gex for a full day of (scientific) exchange.  >>

Your privacy is paramount!

May I read your e-mails or join you while you browse the web? What if I access all your personal documents on the DFS or AFS disk spaces? I guess you have nothing to hide and all that information is related to your professional duties… so why would you care? >>

Ombuds’ corner: Empowerment

In this series, the Bulletin aims to explain the role of the Ombuds at CERN by presenting practical examples of misunderstandings that could have been resolved by the Ombuds if he had been contacted earlier. Please note that, in all the situations we present, the names are fictitious and used only to improve clarity. >>

News from the Library: Publishing Open Access articles beyond High Energy Physics

CERN has supported Open Access Publishing for many years, and the Scientific Information Service is working to implement this vision. We have just launched the flagship project SCOAP3 (Sponsoring Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics) aimed at converting high-quality journals in High Energy Physics to Open Access for articles published as of 2014. More details here. >>

Report from the Pension Fund

In this column, the Chairman of the Pension Fund Governing Board (PFGB) presents the Board's latest main decisions, initiatives and accomplishments to the Fund's members and beneficiaries. >>

Official News

REMINDER: Extension/suppression of allowance for dependent children aged 20 to 25  
REMINDER: Compliance with Operational Circular No. 2 (Rev. 1) on “Conditions of access to the fenced CERN site”  

Training and Development

Technical training - places available  
Communication course – places available  
Safety Training - places available in October  

Announcements

Blood donation - 7 November  
Vaccination against seasonal influenza: a reminder  
Transporting "exceptional cargo" on the CERN sites  
Mail Office  

Events

“Hangout” with CERN this Thursday  
Séminaire de physique corpusculaire - 31 October  
Conference: ActiWiz – Optimizing material selection at CERN's accelerators from the radiological point of view  
Séminaire de physique corpusculaire - 7 November  
"The End of Time" released - a film partly shot at CERN  
Wright colloquium 2012 | 12 to 16 November, UniDufour  
Latsis conference  

Staff Association

Le CERN, un laboratoire d’excellence sociale  
Information meetings  
Rugby Club  
Orienteering Club  
Cine Club  
Croquet  
Dancing Club  
Special offers  
GAC-EPA  
Conference  
Interfon