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{\large {\bf Minutes}}\\[2mm]
Charissa Group Meeting
}}\\[7mm]
\makebox[3.5cm][l]{Meeting held on:} 26 September 2000\\[2mm]            % Date
\makebox[3.5cm][l]{Meeting held at:} Oxford\\[2mm]     % Place
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\begin{center} \begin{tabular}{l@{~~}l} \hline
~\\                                                             % Present
\makebox[2.5cm][l]{Present:} & \parbox[t]{13.5cm}{
MF(Chair), WNC, NMC, BG, RAH, SSJ, RCL, DM, ACM, VP, WDMR, NS, RPW, DLW\\
Claire Harrison, Charles Bremner\\
}\\
~\\                                                             % Distribution
\makebox[2.5cm][l]{Distribution:} & \parbox[t]{12cm}{
Those above plus  BRF,NAO\\ all by e-mail/server
}\\
~\\ \hline
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~\\[0.5cm]
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{\large {\bf Minutes}} \\[0.5cm]

{\em The meeting was arranged to tie in with the
retirement dinner organised to mark the contribution
of {\bf Bill Rae} to the formation and success of the collaboration.}

\noindent
\begin{list}{\bf \arabic{agenda}.}{\usecounter{agenda}
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\item    {\bf Minutes of Previous Meeting -- 17 June 2000:} approved.

\item    {\bf Staffing changes:}

{\em Oxford:} As noted in the previous minutes,
Bill Rae has formally retired (effective 1 April 2000) and hence
the Oxford group will wind down operations. ACM has accepted a
position with a financial software company. Charles Bremner is completing his
thesis and will undertake a 4 month PDRA. Ismail Boztosun is presently
in a PDRA position in Plymouth.

{\em Birmingham:}
It was noted that BRF has accepted a new Chair at York.
Neven (known as Soya) Soi\'c has commenced a PDRA position and Neil Curtis
will also commence in mid-October. One PDRA place remains to be filled, and
applications have closed. Recent departures: Marie-Paule Nicoli and Laurent
Donadille. Peter Leask, Nick Ashwood and
Richard Wooliscroft continue on Ph.D.\  and Karl Metalko is starting.

{\em York:} BRF will be away at
TRIUMF on sabbatical until December 2000. Barrie Greenhalgh commences as
PDRA on 1 October. Claire Harrison will continue on Ph.D.\  and
John Pearson is starting.

{\em Surrey:}
DM continues in post as the only PDRA doing so. An additional post has been
added to the grant, with the intention of funding Alan Merchant. If he is not
available, then the situation will require clarification with EPSRC.
A PDRA from the Exogam project, Marjorie Belleguic, has commenced and is
working on topics of related interest to Charissa (i.e. VAMOS).
Kate Jones is completing her Ph.D.\ thesis and Steve Pain is starting.

{\em Staffordshire:}
A new PDRA has commenced: Deborah Hallcroft from Liverpool (PJB).
Craig Bickerton continues on Ph.D.



\item {\bf Grant Matters:}

\begin{enumerate}
\item {\em End of grant reports:}\\
The end date for all grants except Birmingham is 30 September 2000
(for Birmingham, the end date has been revised to 1 March 2001).
The September date implies a deadline of 30 December for receipt
of the grant reports at EPSRC, with a missed deadline incurring
severe penalties. It was {\bf agreed} that a deadline be set
for submission of a joint Charissa report of 1 December. \action{ALL}

A draft of a common report should be produced. \action{NMC}

An updated  joint publication list should be produced. \action{RPW}

The Oxford report will formally be submitted by Nick Stone. \action{MF}


\item {\em Issue of new grants:}\\
The grants that started this year have been re-announced to take into
account the retirement of WDMR, and the transfer of BRF to York.
York will receive a new grant in the name of BRF, additional to the
recently begun grant in the name of DLW. The Birmingham and Surrey
grants are being re-announced with adjustments. The Staffordshire
grant is unchanged, but its commencement has been deferred until
1 Nov 2000 for internal reasons.

\item {\em Spending on Oxford Grant:}\\
The equipment allocation of $\sim$ \pounds 65k
on the Oxford grant had been satisfactorily
committed in accordance with discussion in the previous meeting,
and a list of the purchased items was tabled by MF.

\end{enumerate}


\item {\bf Strasbourg running plans:}
\begin{enumerate}
\item {\em Running period in July 2000:}\\
MF reported that the experiment to study T=2 states in $^{12}$C
using $^9$Be+$^9$Be had run successfully. It had taken advantage of
the recent refurbishing of the target chamber and the DAQ system.
The data were being analysed by N.\ Ashwood and were very encouraging.

\item {\em Re-alignment of beamline:}\\
NMC reported on the work performed by NMC, DLW, RPW and Ron Marl.
A document was tabled, describing the work, and is available on
the DL server. Re-alignment had been achieved, but no beam was
available for testing. The vacuum in the target chamber was
improved to a few times $10^{-6}$ mbar using both turbopumps.

\item {\em Chamber controls:}\\
VP reported on the control programme for the arms in the Charissa
chamber. The VME crate was replaced by a Windows-NT workstation
with MIDAS interface, and was much more compact in size. The status
of the four arms is: (1) motor drive lacks voltage supply, (2) moves
but lacks position information, (3) fully operational, (4) no working
motor and drive sawn off. The target height and angle controls
are functional except for limit switches. The pulse counting on the
height encoder requires further work. Definition of arm numbers:\\

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It was {\bf agreed} to plan a one-week period of work to complete
the necessary tasks and to finalise 3 working arms. This could
be in late November 2000. Helpers were needed. \action{VP}
\end{minipage}

\item {\em Present status of facility:}\\
DLW reported that there appeared to be severe difficulties is solving
transmission problems in the Vivitron. No runs had been scheduled
following the cancellation of the summer schedules. The running
of EUROBALL experiments was likely to be a priority upon re-start.
The stay of EUROBALL had been extended until the end of 2002.
Further planning of running times awaited news of beam availability.

\item {\em DAQ developments:}\\ VP reported that
a solution to the time stamping of events had been found, which
would be implemented for the planned activation experiment.


\end{enumerate}



\item {\bf ANU running plans:}

\begin{enumerate}
\item {\em Update on results from September 1999 running:}\\
The experiments used quadrant-strip-CsI telescopes and strips.
All of the data sets show good results.
BH reported that he had analysed data from $^{18}$O+$^7$Li to search for
breakup of $^{16}$C. Although none was found, he had identified breakup
of $^{18}$O* $\rightarrow ^{14}$C$\alpha$ and
$^{18}$O* $\rightarrow ^{14}$C$\alpha$ and analysis was proceeding.
DM reported that he was analysing $^9$Be+$^9$Be to study
$^{11}$Be* $\rightarrow ^{10}$Be$n$ and was able to extract branching ratios
for decay to different bound states in $^{10}$Be. Analysis of other reaction
channels would follow. MF reported that LD had started on the
analysis of the $^9$Be+$^7$Li reaction, and this was now being completed
	by NS.
\item {\em DAQ update:}\\
In the September 1999 running, the DAQ had given two main problems: the second
stage trigger was not functional, and there was repetition of data words with
loss of synchronisation. RAH reported, and tabled a document containing a
summary of investigations by RAH and SSJ.
The TAIL unit had given an `echo' problem at 800 ns and this had been
fixed. The FEED units led to the system hanging, and a fix had been identified
but required extra work. Briefly, the FEEDs expected 3 FIACRES to give input,
but with the second level trigger there were not always 3 inputs produced.

SSJ is building a complete DAQ at Birmingham. Everything should be ready for
running in January 2001. \action{SSJ}

\item {\em November 2000 running:}\\
DLW reported concerning the experiments, which would include a search for the
$10^+$ state in $^{16}$O believed to be observed in the data of Charles
Bremner, plus 4 discretionary days for astrophysics
proposals: $^{17}$O+$^{12}$C$\rightarrow ^{19}$Ne$\rightarrow ^{15}$O$\alpha$
and $^9$Be breakup on $^{12}$C. There were a total of 10 days of running
planned.

The DAQ work would involve putting in LynxOS processors and a Strasbourg-like
system for this run. VP discussed a check-list of parts required, and would
liaise with others to purchase them. \action{DLW/VP/SSJ}

\item {\em January 2001 running:}\\
The full MEGHA DAQ should be operational for this run. \action{SSJ}

Experiments are planned by Birmingham and Surrey groups, using $^9$Be+$^9$Be
reactions or similar, with quadrant-strip-CsI telescopes. In addition, NMC
discussed possible use of beam time that had been approved to test MEGHADON
neutron detectors. He had ordered 3 NIM modules from Warsaw for PSD of
neutrons, but useful tests could proceed with or without these.

Extra quadrant detectors should be acquired before this running period.
Staffordshire and Surrey would buy 5 each (details from MF).
\action{RPW,WNC}

The general issue of keeping track of detector stocks was discussed; this is a
recurrent issue. It was agreed to collate information from Birmingham, Surrey
and York, and forward it to MF before 30 November. \action{NS,DM,BH}

MF would combine the data and disseminate it. \action{MF}

\end{enumerate}

\item {\bf GANIL running plans:}

\begin{enumerate}
\item {\em Update on data analysis:}\\
MF tabled spectra from the July 1999 running with $^{16}$C, which were included
in a paper submitted for publication in PRC to probe cluster states in $^{16}$C.
WNC reported that the $^{17}$C
beam data originally intended for K. Jones' thesis would be analysed in LPC
Caen, to reconstruct the unbound $^{16}$B system. KLJ's thesis would comprise a
more complete analysis of $^{13}$Be from $^{14}$Be breakup than was originally
envisaged.

\item {\em LISE-2000:}\\
MF reported regarding the 6 quadrupoles that Charissa committed to purchase.
The schedule was very tight and based around the winter shutdown. A bid had
been received that was within the available funds, and an order had been placed
with SigmaPhi, Vannes, France.

\item {\em ECLAN target chamber:}\\
A meeting had taken place at DL on 11 July, attended by MF, NMC, RCL, Simon
Appleton and Ron Marl, and the Minutes were tabled.

An engineering drawing was tabled, which was a hybrid of the DeMoN chamber from
Caen and the Charissa chamber at Strasbourg. Further information was required
concerning the beam height in rooms D4 and D6 at GANIL. \action{RCL}

Advice was required concerning access to the bottom of the chamber and the
cable feedthroughs. DLW would attend the next planning meeting. \action{DLW}

RCL reported that a meeting of DL staff at DL had discussed the control system.
DL were anticipating that the chamber would be built, delivered and tested by
August 2001.

\item {\em Preamplifiers:}\\
NMC tabled a document describing the present preamplifier stocks. The GANIL
modules are mounted in NIM modules with Lemo inputs and outputs. They use some
of the 500 chips delivered from Geoff Moore (Paisley) at the end of September
2000. The cabling would require large numbers of patch panel adaptors and 600
had been purchased and were at Birmingham, to be assembled into panels for
Strasbourg (160 channels) and GANIL. The tabled document will be put on the
web server. \action{NMC}

\item {\em Progress on approved experiments:}\\
WNC reported that the experiment to study $^{12}$Be(p,d)$^{11}$Be was now being
planned to use clover Ge detectors, and would not take place before March 2001.
Meanwhile, the approved SPIRAL experiments to study $^{24}$Ne(d,$^3$He)$^{23}$F
and $^{12}$C($^8$He,$^{12}$Be$\rightarrow ^6$He$^6$He)$^8$Be would need to have
supporting material submitted to the current PAC.\\
 {\em Note added:} The GANIL
PAC decided at its meeting that {\em all} SPIRAL proposals that had previously
been approved would need to be resubmitted as new proposals to the PAC
envisaged for approximately July 2001.

\item {\em Request from LPC Caen (Stephane Gr\'evy) to borrow VXI ADC's:}\\
The collaboration had been approached regarding the possibility of loaning
several of the recently acquired C-size VXI ADC's to the collaboration studying
superheavy element production at GANIL. The request was for a loan up until the
end of December 2000. In the interests of goodwill, a loan for this period was
agreed, with the stipulation that the modules would be returned to the UK at
the end of the period. \action{WNC}

\end{enumerate}


\item {\bf Overview of publications:}

MF reported concerning papers written at Birmingham: clustering in $^{10,12}$Be
(MF, resubmitted after referees' reports),
clustering search in $^{16}$C (P.Leask, resubmitted after referees' reports),
states in $^{10}$B (P.Leask, resubmitted after referees' reports),
partial breakup widths in $^{24}$Mg (MPN, rejected by PRL, being reassessed),
$^{16}$O$^{16}$O breakup of $^{32}$S (N.Ashwood, submitted to PRC). Additional
papers were planned, based on data from JTM (Argonne experiment) and
MPN ($^{12}$C+$^{12}$C rainbow scattering).

WNC reported on Surrey papers:
the two by NC and MS on $^{12}$C$^{12}$C breakup of
$^{24}$Mg from $^{16}$O targets, and $\alpha$-transfer population of
$^{28}$Si$\rightarrow ^{16}$O$^{12}$C, had been published in PRC. The MS paper
on multi-hits in the gas-strip-CsI hybrids was published in NIM. The S. Singer
paper on the $^{24}$Mg$\rightarrow ^{12}$C$^{12}$C angular distribution was
accepted after extra work by MS, and the MS paper on spin assignments in
$^{24}$Mg and $^{28}$Si breakup was submitted to PRC.

\item {\bf Any other business:}

\begin{enumerate}
\item {\em Additional experiment proposals:}\\
MF reported that BRF was planning a proposal to the next TRIUMF PAC for an
experiment that would concentrate on astrophysical interest.

\item {\em Colleagues leaving the collaboration:}\\
RAH (retirement) and ACM (new pastures) had formally left the collaboration
after many years of productive collaboration, and were thanked for their
efforts.
\end{enumerate}

\item {\bf Exceptional agenda item:}\\

\fbox{
Vote of thanks to Bill Rae,
Charissa founder and guiding light}\\

A spontaneous vote of thanks was proposed by DLW and seconded by MF, and
unanimously supported by all present.\\

The collaboration expressed its thanks and appreciation for
the enormous and essential contribution of Bill to the success
achieved by the CHARISSA project: from the first experiments at Oxford, through
the new beam line, telescope, preamplifier, amplifier and data acquisition
design at Daresbury, and the new MEGHA detector and 320 channel DAQ system
presently working at the ANU, plus the new theoretical results and techniques
developed for the calculation of alpha-cluster structure and for reaction
calculations $\ldots$ each has been enormously influenced by his input.\\

We say: \hfill
``Thanks, Bill, we're behind you in whatever you choose to do.''
\hfill \mbox{}

\end{list}

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\vfill

\noindent
W.N. Catford, Secretary. \hfill
October 22, 2000  (released \today )

\end{document}
