LhARA pre-CDR Steering Group meeting #4

1^st May 2020 09:30 GMT

Notes:

Present: P.Ratoff, J.Parsons, K.Long, A.Kurup, C.Hardiman, T.Greenshaw,C.Brenner, R.Mclauchlan, P.Burrows, K.Kirkby

0. It was noted that the SG gad been formed with the remit of guiding the LhARA team to the production of the pre-CDR. This goal having been accomplished it was necessary to re-establish the SG and its mandate. We agreed that the next critical activity was to secure the resource necessary to execute LhARA and that the SG had an enormous role to play in this activity. We therefore endorsed the continued existence of the SG with the mandate to steer the development of the LhARA activity and to spearhead the search for resources.

1. Notes of last meeting and actions arising:
   • KK/JP: Consult regarding specification of the end stations.
     • Done.
   • KL: Set up series of meetings with leads at partner organisations to discuss preparation of R&D programme.
     • Ongoing.

2. Status of pre-CDR: AK
   AK reported on the status of the development of the pre-CDR. The design reported in the pre-CDR was summarised and the principal components of the R&D programme were summarised.

We agreed the deadline for comments would be Monday 11May20. PB asked whether M.Dosanjh was included in the mailing list; KL will check whether MD is included on the relevant mailing lists as her input would be extremely valuable.

3. Pre-publication review of LhARA pre-CDR: KL
   The material presented to the review is collected on the wiki together with the review timeline and the reviewers' evaluation of the LhARA pre-CDR. The final version of the pre-CDR and the key outcomes of the review are collected on the LhARA Steering Group page.

The positive outcome of the review of the pre-CDR was noted. Following the review KL had written to G.Blair and N.Geddes of STFC to ask for a meeting. The letter had been circulated to the SG. Contact had been made with the relevant assistants with a view to finding the slot for the meeting. The possible composition of the LhARA consortium "delegation" was discussed.

The key role that the RFI had to play in the initiative was discussed. It was noted that the ORIO was important to the development of the activity. KL reported that he had spoken to A.Giacca the new Director of the Institute and that AG was in support of the initiative.

The review had highlighted many areas where the LhARA project was leading the development of technology. One area where more work was needed to make LhARA a leader was in the instrumentation of the end station. Technologies such as spectrometry and "photo"acoustic imaging should be considered. This should be the subject of a future dedicated meeting (action KL).

The key task now is to follow-up with the search for resources.

4. Proposed new members of the consortium: KL
   KL reported that discussions with G.Schettino of the NPL and Sussex University had taken place with the result that GS and NPL wished to join the consortium. All present were in favour of welcoming GS/NPL to the consortium.

Interest from other interested groups at home and overseas was discussed. Actions were agreed to follow up with the interested groups.

5. Taking the programme forward; discussion: All
   There was a long and useful discussion of where to seek resources. In addition to STFC the concept of a future approach to the UKRI infrastructure fund was mentioned. CB noted that the design for the EPAC target stations was progressing well to the detailed phase. These target stations have similar specifications to LhARA. The application beam lines have to deal with the high (10Hz) rep-rate too. It seems likely that there is some overlap here. We agreed it would be useful to work towards a meeting with the relevant people. KK noted that items being developed for the end-station in Manchester could be made available, commercially or otherwise. It was agreed that there was motivation not to redevelop items already in production. KK also mentioned that she coordinated the Inspire network, including the UHDR-pulse network, which had an activity on FLASH. This was worth tapping into.

6. DONMs
   
   • 05 Jun 2020; 10:00 BST
   • 03 Jul 2020; 10:00 BST
   • 04 Sep 2020; 10:00 BST

7. AoB
   

Summary of actions:

• KL: Set up series of meetings with leads at partner organisations to discuss preparation of R&D programme.
• KL: Ensure that M.Dosanjh is on the relevant mailing lists and ensure she has the chance to input into the pre-CDR.
• KL: Take forward the discussion of dedicated diagnostics to advance the state of the art in end-station diagnostics.
• KL: Bring G.Schettino and NPL into the consortium.
• KL/CB: Consider meeting between Imperial (and other) ion-accelerator experts with the relevant experts in CLF.

Meeting details

Videoconference using ZOOM.

Agenda:

1. Notes of last meeting and actions arising:
   • KK/JP: Consult regarding specification of the end stations.
     • Done.
   • KL: Set up series of meetings with leads at partner organisations to discuss preparation of R&D programme.
     • Ongoing.

2. Status of pre-CDR: AK
   

3. Pre-publication review of LhARA pre-CDR: KL
   

4. Proposed new members of the consortium: KL
   

5. Taking the programme forward; discussion: All
   

6. DONMs
   
   • 05 Jun 2020; 10:00 BST
   • 03 Jul 2020; 10:00 BST
   • 04 Sep 2020; 10:00 BST

7. AoB
   

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