CERN Accelerating science

     
 

CERN
Bulletin

   
 

The LHC goes in for an X-ray

For the past two years, a radiography laboratory has been operating in a "bunker" where it can X-ray materials in complete safety. The primary function of the radiography laboratory, run by Jean-Michel Dalin and Aline Piguiet, is to inspect welds and LHC components. >>

European projects: a new wave of success

Since the beginning of this year, no fewer than six new EU projects at CERN have been launched. These are just a third of the projects selected by the European Commission for funding during the course of 2010, bringing in some 23 M€ over a period of two to five years. This makes last year our most successful yet in securing EU support, and places CERN among the top 50 out of more than 10,000 participants in the EU’s seventh Framework Programme. >>

LHC Report: Towards stable beams and collisions

Over the past two weeks, the LHC re-commissioning with beam has continued at a brisk pace. The first collisions of 2011 were produced on 2 March, with stable beams and collisions for physics planned for the coming days. >>

The renovation of the Main Building is approaching completion

The renovation work under way in the CERN Main Building should be completed by June. From the floors to the ceilings, everything has been done to give this historic building a new lease of life. >>

CERN in 2030

A competition will soon be launched to select the architect, urban planner or landscape designer to undertake the first phase of redevelopment of the parking area by the flagpoles, between Entrances A and B. This will be the first stage in a wider development project aimed at sprucing up the CERN site and enhancing its image. Work to create a pleasant and harmonious area at the CERN entrance will start in 2013 while preparatory work for other developments inside the CERN site has already begun… >>

At your service!

Everyone, at some time or another, has needed to get a new key cut, or to have an office painted or to get their hands on a document without knowing who to ask. People who have been at CERN for many years obviously don't experience this very often, but picking their way through the Laboratory's many services can be a real challenge for users and new arrivals. The Service Desk is now there to help ! >>

LINAC4 takes a tour of Europe

Along the German Autobahnen, a truck carrying 20 tonnes of copper is on its way to Poland. The metal has already made a short tour of Europe, yet the drive across the high-speed highway is only the beginning of its transformation into CERN’s next linear accelerator, LINAC4. >>

The new heart of the PS is beating strongly

The PS has resumed operation with a brand new electrical power system called POPS; this enormous system comprising power electronics and capacitors is crucial because if it broke down practically no particles would be able to circulate at CERN. As soon as it started, POPS passed all the tests with flying colours and is now pulsing at full power. >>

The new AMS control centre

Construction work for the future AMS control room began in November 2010 and should be finished this June. The new building, which will have been completed in record time thanks to the professionalism of the project team, will soon be ready to receive the initial data from the AMS experiment. >>

Around the Globe with Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin! The news caused a sensation: his arrival was imminent. The man who, 40 years ago, first step foot on the moon, was to do the same at CERN. >>

CERN takes off at Lift11

CERN was especially featured at the Lift11 conference, held in Geneva early this month. Tara Shears delivered a keynote speech at the event, while Paul Oortman Gerlings (DGS-SEE) and Erik van der Bij (BE-CO) – winners of the Bulletin’s Lift11 competition – organised the CERN workshop. >>

Fabiola Gianotti is one of The Guardian's "most inspirational women"

Fabiola Gianotti, spokesperson for the ATLAS experiment, was named one of the world’s 100 most inspirational women by The Guardian newspaper. The list was drawn up in celebration of the International Women’s Day on 8 March. >>

CERN cars drive by the Geneva Motor Show

One of CERN's new gas-fuelled cars was a special guest at the press days of the Geneva motor show this year. >>

Ombuds’ corner: Work conflict or harassment?

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. >>

Simon van der Meer (1925-2011)

Simon van der Meer was a true giant of modern particle physics, though a gentle one. His contributions to accelerator science remain vital for the operation of accelerators such as the LHC today. Simon was an electrical engineer who grew up in The Hague, moving on to Delft University to study electrical engineering. After a short stint with Philips, he came to CERN in 1956, just two years after the lab opened, and remained with us until his retirement in 1990. >>

Joaquin Inigo-Golfin (1965-2011)

It is with immense sadness that we learned that Joaquin INIGO-GOLFIN passed away last week; until the very end we hoped that he would win the battle he so heroically fought. Joaquin was a very special person who left no one indifferent. His professional skills, warmth and openness were matched with a sense of humor that made him a friend and colleague “à part”. >>

Emilio Pagiola (1937–2011)

CERN physicist Emilio Pagiola passed away on 22 February, following a long illness. >>

Official News

Forthcoming indefinite contract review procedure  

Training and Development

Cern academic training programme 2011: Selected Topics in the Physics of Heavy Ion Collisions  
CERN Technical training: Available places in forthcoming courses  
Safety Training: scheduled sessions in March  
CCM - Understanding and working with Competencies  

Announcements

Exhibition: Life and Achievements of Maria Sklodowska-Curie  
Users’ Office – Removal  
TV News Magazine presentations: Sternstunde Philosophie by Schweizer Fernsehen (2010)  
LAPP, Annecy-le-Vieux : Journée Gilles Sauvage  
Blood donation  
To all members of the personnel  

Staff Association

What pensions at CERN tomorrow?  
2011 Public meetings  
Ordinary General Assembly  
Exhibition  
CINE CLUB  
Club d'orientation  
Solidarity  
Groupement des anciens du CERN et de l'ESO  
Interfon