The accelerator commands have been arranged in a way that hopefully provides an organized and convenient method of starting up the machine. The intention is to start the machine up in stages or layers.
The best order for issuing commands, using S2 and 1B as examples, is:
If AccelNET is not already operating, follow the startup procedures elsewhere in the manual.
Select "Machine->Master Power->On" from the AccelNET menu. This turns on all of the machine basics like Faraday cup controllers, bending magnets, etc.
Select "Machine->Source 2->On" from the AccelNET menu. This command turns the ion source cooling, deck power, and bias supply on. It also closes the source Faraday cup.
Select "Machine->Source 2->Warm" from the AccelNET menu. This command presets some of the parameters to arbitrary values.
If a previously saved ion source setup is availible, click into a terminal window, change to the appropriate directory, and type: send S2sav This presets the preacceleration beamline and the ion source to the previously saved values.
If there is a source setup on the menu that you wish to use, then select it from the menu.
Select "Machine->Accelerator->Warm" from the AccelNET menu. This turns on the rotating shaft, blower, etc and presets the charging and TPS to some running values that won't spark if the chains are started.
If a previously saved machine setup is availible, click into a terminal window, change to the appropriate directory, and type: send MACHsav This sets the TPS and charging system to previously saved values.
If a previously target beamline setup is availible, click into a terminal window, change to the appropriate directory, and type: send ??sav (where the name of the appropriate beamline is substituted for "??") This sets the post acceleration components to previously saved values.
Open the gas stripper valve SLOWLY until the desired pressures are obtained on the tube entrance and exit vacuum gauges. Keep in mind that the presence of beam changes the vacuum reading.
Check the setting of the charging voltage and turn it down if necessary.
After the corona probe finishes moving into position, select "Machine->Accelerator->Run" from the AccelNET menu. This starts the charging chains.
Open the Faraday cups, increase the charging, etc to get the beam through the machine.
The sources usually require some warmup time, therefore you will probably need to start with a lower charging voltage than the final setting from the last run and increase the charging as the source warms up.
If the charging system is balanced correctly, the beam should go all the way to the target with minimal retuning. The parameters most in need of adjustment are the ion source parameters and the stripping gas. With a little practice, it is easy to return the beam to the target at the same energy previously run and with the same beam current.
The user should resist the temptation to immediately start retuning the machine and instead look for and carefully adjust those items that are the least well controlled by the computer such as gas, charging and ion source focus.
If a previously saved run is not being loaded, the ion species setup information should be entered on the machine setup page.