Interaction PointEvents and Happenings

in the SLAC CommunityJan/Feb 1999, Vol. 10,No. 1/2

Burton Richter to Step Down and Jonathan Dorfan to Step In

SLAC DIRECTOR BURTON RICHTER announcedthat he will step down as of August 31, 1999 after15 years in that position. Commenting on Richter'swork as Director, Deputy Director Sidney Drellsaid, "Under Burt's direction, SLAC has excelledat research fields it has helped advance, especiallythe linear collider Burt pioneered. I look forwardto his continued contribution in advancing particlephysics in his role as incoming president of theInternational Union of Pure and Applied Physics."

Jonathan Dorfan was named director-designate and he takes over as Director onSeptember 1, 1999. Stanford Dean of ResearchCharles Kruger headed the search committee forthe position. "The committee quickly found thatthe SLAC faculty was virtually unanimous inendorsing Dorfan as the ideal person for the job,"Kruger said.

DOE/Stanford Contract Renewed

Geoff Grant, Rachel Claus, Jim Turner, Deborah Zumwalt, John Muhlstein, Jim Hirahara, Drayton Schwartz, and Marty Domagala.

Stanford University and the Department of Energy signed a five-year contract on December 18, 1998. Inannouncing the new contract, Stanford University President Gerhard Caspar said, "The research done here atSLAC has played, and will continue to play, a major role in our nation's leadership in science and our world'sunderstanding of the universe."

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Electricity and Your Computer

WHEN THE POWERGOES off and the lightsgo out, we humans takeadvantage of the outageto chat with ourworkmates. But whatabout all the equipmentthat surrounds us,especially our compu-ters? What happens tothem in a powernil -lna?UL LL C. ;

If the computer on your desk loses power, youmay lose opened work that wasn't saved, buteverything else will generally come back when it isrebooted. Nowadays, though, most computers areconnected to networks of other computers. This iscalled distributed computing, what some people call"a system that makes your computer dependent onanother computer you never even heard of."

What does a power outage do to SLAC'sdistributed computing network? It depends on anumber of factors such as how long the power is offand if there was time to shut down equipment beforethe outage. If the power fails entirely, two largebattery-powered "Uninterruptable Power Supply"(UPS) will keep power supplied to the major criticalcomputer and network components in the computercenter. These UPS units also filter out under- andover-voltage conditions on the power line that candamage equipment when power is restored. Each isabout six feet high and nine feet long and containsenough batteries to keep the major computers andnetwork switches in the computer building alive forabout an hour.

If the power stays off for more than an hour, asit did on December 2 when a rat crawled into theSLAC power lines, the UPS systems will run out ofpower and shut down. Then we have a lengthy processof bringing the systems back up.

If all systems go down, we have to begin bybringing the network routers and switches back up,

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle·

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BE SURE TO USE the green recycling containers to· ·

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and make sure that they have negotiated properly witheach other and the outside world to reach all the variousparts of the SLAC network. Once the network is stable,we bring the servers back in a certain order. The wholeprocess can take nearly eight hours to complete,although users can resume most work as early as twohours into the process.

When power is lost and restored, there are often'spikes' of voltage on the line that are enough to damageelectronic equipment. In the week after a site-widepower outage, we typically see five to seven failures,usually disk drives, but sometimes memory or motherboards fail, which require replacement. Equipmentmay be damaged even though it has been connected toso-called 'surge protector' power strips, so the efficacyof that bit of insurance is dubious.

Finally, if there is a power outage, and you turnyour desktop machine back on before the network andcentral servers are restored, some services for startupmay not be available. If your machine isn't workingcorrectly after such a power outage, wait until youhear that things are back to normal in the ComputerCenter and then try rebooting your desktop machine.

To protect your computing equipment, turn yourcomputer off while the power is off and wait until thepower has been back on for a while before turning itback on. A small UPS system might also help protectyour desktop system from damage, but is probably notworth the expense. The cost of components damagedby the average power outage is far less than the cost ofequipping all offices with UPS systems.

In the Computer Center, we are working onproviding a diesel generator to back up the UPSsystems. This would keep the systems up almostindefinitely in the case of a power failure, and wouldalso put virtually all computer systems in the buildingon the UPS system. The project is still in the discussionphase. In the meantime, if we have a dry winter, and ifthe new master substation does its job, we may havefewer outages in the future, but at least you will knowwhat to do if the lights go out.

-Chuck Boeheim

Straightening the PicturesFOR THE RECORD, LAST month we showed a photocredit in the BaBar Dedication Ceremony story as JohnBeech, not John Beach. Sorry for our blooper.

And speaking of bloopers....The photo for familyday shows Jonathan Dunn and his children Ceara andConor, NOT Chuck Boeheim.

The Interaction Point© 1999, is published by Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Editor-in-chief, P.A. Moore; Production Editor, Vickee Flynn. Deadline forarticles is the first of every month. Items are published on a space-available basis and are subject to edit. Submissions may be sent electronically totip@slac.stanford.edu or by SLAC ID mail to TIP, MS 20. Phone 926-4208.

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Dosimetry ServicesBack at Full Strength

THE DOSIMETRY GROUP IN Operational HealthPhysics (OHP) Department is again operating at fullstrength after setbacks delayed dose reporting foralmost a year. We are pleased to report that individualdose reporting service is once again on schedule.

The biggest setback involved a desktop computercrash in the dosimetry laboratory last April. The harddisk files containing the results of 1300 dose recordswere lost, but fortunately, a complete paper copy ofthe files existed. Paper files are both good news andbad news. As a matter of routine and data security, thedosimeter processing computer system is designed toprint out a paper copy of all dose records saved to thehard disk, providing a backup in case of failure. Datarecovery from paper records is usually a tedious, time-consuming process, and this time was no exception,but the job is finally done.

We also took care of the backlog of dosimetersawaiting processing while the data recovery wasunderway. As a result of this computer crash,dosimetric data are now being backed up on the SLACnetwork on a daily basis to provide rapid data retrieval.

A second setback occurred when Bob Flood, thegroup leader, was injured in an accident last July. Hewas out of commission for several months and wesorely missed him. Happily, he has now returned towork full-time, and the Group is once again completelystaffed.

These setbacks account for the delay in issuingdose reports for individuals who returned theirdosimeters through September 1998. The exception isthe group of individuals who reported lost or damageddosimeters before that time. If you have any questionsabout dosimetry, please contact Steve Frey, OHPDepartment Head, at x3839.

-Roxanne Jones

Kathleen Thornton (foreground) and Santa chatterji ofOHP's Dosimetry Group feed TLD information into thePanasonic Reader.

FactinOsVolunteers NeededApril 22 is Take Our Daughters to Work Dayand volunteers are needed for the planningcommittee or to assist in day-of-the-eventactivities. Bernie Lighthouse in Personnel(x2358) especially needs assistance fromtechnical people. Please give him a call abouthands-on activities, open house ideas orfeedback on what worked or didn't workfrom previous years.

Visitors Can Mean $$$ for LocalsWhy not plan your vacation around BaBarmeetings and rent your house to visitors?Upcoming BaBar meetings are February 22-25, June 21-25, and October 18-21. ContactUte Hayes in SLAC housing, ext 4132, to listyour house. The need for housing is constant,especially short-term housing within a bikeride (about 5 miles) of SLAC.

Vending Made EasyA new item on the web is the SLACFleaMarket. These pages can be viewed fromcomputers within the SLAC domain athttp: //www.slac. stanford.edu/

slac/fleamarket/slaconly/. Now is

your chance to buy and sell cars, furniture,and collectibles. Looking for a camper shellor a bookcase? Place an ad to find it. Do youneed a fourth at Bridge or a volunteer for anupcoming event? Use the FleaMarket toadvertise it.

Very Generous GivingThe Food and Toy Drive Committee (PatBradley, Mary Parish, and Pat Prickett)announced that a total of 1,277 pounds offood were collected this past holiday season,which was more than in 1997. In addition,four large boxes of toys were delivered tothe Red Cross, which was also an increaseover the past year. The Second HarvestFood Bank and the Red Cross both wish tothank SLAC employees and users for theirgenerosity.

Visit the Blood Mobile

The first date for the 1999 Mobile BloodDrive will be Wednesday, March 3. The webaddress URL: http: //www. slac.stan-

ford. edu/grp/pao/blood.html contains

information on this very important program.

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How A Proposed Experiment

L Users

RESEARCH AT SLAC IS based onthe peer review system, in whichpanels of experts review proposalsto determine the merit of anexperiment. At SSRL, the ProposalReview Panel (PRP) is the mainexternal review group ratingproposals for beam time. Inaddition to proposal review, thePRP also provides advice to theSSRL Director on the status ofscientific programs, advises onfuture opportunities andparticipates in the strategicplanning process of the laboratory.

The PRP consists of tenexternal scientists (withoutaffiliation to SSRL or Stanford)with expertise in various researchfields using synchrotron radiation.These experts form subpanels inStructural Molecular Biology andBiophysics, Solid State Physicsand Materials Science, and SolidState and Materials Chemistry/Environmental Science.

The group meets twice eachyear (or three times in the case ofthe biology subpanel) to considerall new proposals or extensions.Many proposals are also sent tooutside scientists for writtenreviews to assist the PRP panelmembers. This process isanonymous and reviewers do notknow the names of the PrincipalInvestigators. Proposals are ratedfrom 1.0 (high) to 5.0 (low.) Theproposal rating is what determinesthe beamtime allocation processfor general users.

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There are five differentclasses of proposals and they areaccepted twice a year, except fornon-program protein crystallo-graphy proposals which areaccepted 3 times per year becauseof the high demand and strongdesire for faster turnaround.Proposals are assigned to one ofthe three subpanels of the PRPbased on their area. The breadthof a proposal sometimes requiresmore than one subpanel.

Several factors beyond therating may influence the finaldetermination about whichproposals will actually receivebeamtime, for example the scarcityof beam time and the large numberof proposals of equally highscientific merit. Considerationmay be given to graduate studentscompleting their thesis work. Theguiding philosophy in shiftassignment is to give enoughbeamtime to maximize the chanceof significant results.

At the end of an experimentalrun, the user group is asked tocomplete an evaluation to rate theoverall quality of experience atSSRL, the quality of the beam, andother aspects of the process suchas scheduling and safety review.Results have been consistently andoverwhelmingly positive over thepast few years, a demonstrationof the fact that the user communityviews SSRL as a facility of qualityand service.

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Meet Dr. Erbacher

ROBIN ERBACHER SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED herStanford University Ph.D. dissertation on Friday,December 11th. The title of her thesis was: "A PrecisionMeasurement of the Spin Structure of the Proton atSLAC," which was based on E143, one of a series offive experiments performed in End Station A from1992-1998 to study the helicity content of the nucleons.

With friends, family, and colleagues in theaudience, Robin gave her thesis committee an hour-long talk summarizing the experiment and its results.She then faced the thesis committee alone to be askedquestions about her thesis, her experiment, and anyother topics in physics that they wanted to ask.Following the committee's deliberation, Robin passedher thesis defense and earned her Ph.D. in physicsfrom Stanford. That same evening, she and her familyalso hosted a celebratory party, complete with doorprizes and lots of food. Dieter Walz provided some ofhis own vintage for the festivities, which topped offthe day for Robin. Working off her thesis topic, EdGarwin congratulated Robin on becoming a "spin"doctor.

Robin has been at SLAC for the past 7 years,working in Group A under Professor Charles Prescotton the End Station experiments. She also has been atour guide at SLAC and very active in the Stanfordcommunity. She is now employed by SLAC to work onE155x, which will run in End Station A from February15th through April of this year, while she searches fora postdoctoral position in particle physics.

Black History MonthFocus on Art

THE BLACK ASSOCIATION OF SLAC Employees(BASE) is pleased to announce that William Anderson,an artist with skills in many different media, willexhibit a collection of photographs entitled "Let's NotForget " to kick off events for Black History Month atSLAC.

Anderson's work will be on view on Thursday,February 11 from 10 am to 2 PM in the Auditoriumbreezeway. He will also give a talk and slidepresentation in the Auditorium at noon the same dayand all are invited to attend. Anderson is currentlyprofessor and chairman of the Art Department atMorehouse College in Atlanta.

Anderson studied under the direction andguidance of noted wire sculptor and famed academicianHayward L. Oubre, who still remains his mentor andadvisor. Anderson also studied with world famousphotographer Korundos, from whom he learned basicand advanced photography. Anderson's work has beenshown in many major exhibitions and in one-manshows. His most recent was at the WadsworthAtheneum Amistad Gallery in Hartford, Connecticut.

Comedian Bill Cosby recently acquired one ofAnderson's works for his permanent collection. Cosbyalso showed a collection of Anderson's work on histelevision show last year.

Anderson's works are in the permanent collectionof institutions including the Everson Museum ofModern Art in Syracuse, NY; the Dusable Museum inChicago; and the Department of Archives and Historyof the state of Georgia. Anderson received his BA fromAlabama State University, his BFA from the Universityof Wisconsin, and his MFA from Instituto Allende inSan Miguel, Mexico.

Training OpportunitiesKEEP YOUR SKILLS up-to-date by taking advantageof Professional Development training available to allSLAC employees. SLAC publishes a booklet, "TrainingOpportunities at SLAC" three times a year, and thecurrent issue covers the period from January throughApril. You may want to look into the Staff TuitionAssistance Program (STAP) which providesreimbursement/STAP assistance to departments forthe costs of courses, seminars, and workshops that areapplicable to an employee's current position at SLACor to an identifiable career objective. Professionaltraining this past year included such topics as "Humorin the Workplace" and "Building Better Relationships"which were open to all interested employees and wereat no cost to the employee or the department.

In addition to Professional Development, otherareas such as New Options in Wellness, ComputerEducation, and ES&H training are covered on the Webpage http://www.slac.stanford.edu/pubs/slaconly/trngopps/trngopps.html.

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Work Safe, Work SmartThe last injury involving days away from workwas reported on 10/27/98, according to SharonHaynes, Worker's Compensation Coordinator. Asof 1/11/99, there were 76 calendar days since thatincident. SLAC's record number of days betweenclaims involving days away from work remains at150 days.

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Safety Discussions are Coming!

THE NEW AND IMPROVED annual Safety &Environmental (S&E) Discussions will be held onFriday, March 12, 1999 from 8:00 am to 10:00 amat locations designated by each SLAC Division. A"kick-off" meeting for discussion group leaders(assigned by divisions) will be held on Monday,March 8, 1999 from 1:30 to 2:30 PM in the SLACauditorium. We've listened to past participants'comments and reviewed evolving laboratorypriorities-the result this year is an even more"user-friendly" process!

Recent San Mateo County inspections haveraised environmental concerns to a highervisibility at SLAC, so we've developed questionlists which will help participants discover newways to sharpen our performance in thisimportant area. SLAC office workers said that attimes the discussion process didn't seem relevantto their daily routines, so we've developed aspecial info packet for them. And though weexceeded Dr. Richter's laboratory goal of a 21%reduction in the injury and illness rates with a25% reduction (by current figures), we are stillproviding tools for discussing this topic, sincethe S&E discussions are a crucial element in thisimprovement process.

How did we do in 1998?

The top hazards identified in 1998's discussionswere slips, trips, and falls; electrical safety; andrepetitive strain/computer work. As of December1998, 82% (135 of 164) of the 1998 tasks in responseto concerns have been completed, thanks to a lotof hard work by many people! Here's just asampling of these accomplishments:

Ergonomic evaluations were scheduledin many groups, and proper equipmentwas purchased.

* ES&H bulletins outlining work practicesin or near standing water were re-issuedto group members who expressed concernfor this safety hazard.

* A walkway on the west side of MCC waspartially re-paved and three drains wereinstalled to carry off the excess water,thereby alleviating a slip and trip hazardfor many people.

* Two carts and a ladder were purchasedby a department whose members hadpreviously stood on chairs and tables toreach cables, and moved heavyinstruments and supplies without ahandcart. The group reported thatbefore the safety discussion,they had "thought of the problem as aninconvenience, not as a safety hazard."

* A Facilities Safety Work Ticket proposalhas been developed and will beimplemented in the near future. Theprocess is intended to get rid of any "blackholes" with regard to facility-relatedsafety requests!

Where can I get more information?

You can obtain information about all past S&Ediscussions on the Web via the ES&H home pageunder "Programs." The URL is http://www.slac.stanford.edu/esh/standdown/standdown.html. Click on "S&E DiscussionSearchable Database" and then on "Issues" andenter the last name of the discussion leader foryour group; use the pull-down menu choice "1998S&E Discussion" for the Audit ID. A final clickon the "Search" button will take you to your goal!Contact Ellen Moore at x4298 or emoore@slac forhelp. And of course, your Division SEDAC rep isalso pleased to assist with information on thisyear's or past discussion issues:

BSDDirector's Office/ES&HResearchSSRLTechnical

Gail GudahlEllen MooreFrank O'NeillIan EvansJanice Dabney

-Prepared by the Safety & EnvironmentalDiscussion Assistance Committee (SEDAC)

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HOLIDAY CHEER: The EFD Department hosted theirholiday party before the annual shut-down. Pictured (I to r)are David Fryberger, Perry Anthony, Susan Walz, SteveWilliams, Dieter Walz, Zen Szalata, and Steve St. Lorant.

RETIREDAllen, Richard, EFD/CYO, 01/04/99DeStaebler, Herbert, PEP-II, 12/31/98Walker, Jack Kent, EFD/CYO, 01/04/99

DECEASEDFerrari, Paul, Retired, 12/10/98Fuendeling, Richard, BSD, 01/16/99Pollins, Furman, PC, 12/10/98

Do you have a milestone you would like published inTIP? Email tip@slac.stanford.edu to have it included.

Resolved: To Make SLAC Even Safer!SINCE IT'S TIME FOR New Year's resolutions, theOperating Safety Committee has resolved to striveeven harder toward a safe work environment in 1999.As the only safety committee representing the wholesite (25 members representing 5 divisions & theDirector's Office), we have both the opportunity andthe responsibility to touch every corner of the Lab. Arecent member addition for the Research Division isfrom the SLAC User's Organization (SLUO) and createsa new link for the committee to this important (andlarge) group at SLAC.

Some of the issues we are working on for thisseason are subcontractor safety, non-skid mats for high-traffic buildings, and the procurement process as itrelates to safety and environmental management. Tobring up additional issues or comment on pending ones,call one of your division's representatives; meetings arethe first Wednesday of every month. View our recentminutes and a member listing by accessing the OSC linkon http://www.slac.stanford.edu/esh/committees/committee.html.

-Janice Dabney

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NeW5 from the

A\l/eb Information Manager Can't Find a Link?IZuth NMcPunn, mcdunn@5sLac

On the detailed home page (www. slac. stanford. edu/detailed.html), look for the link just under the

SLAC graphic called Show alphabetical list of links on this page." When this link is selected, a script, written

by Les Cottrell (SCS), generates a new page that shows a list of all the links-but they are now sorted

alphabetically! This "show-index" page is dynamically generated each time you use it, so it can't be out of date!

From the "show-index" list, you can selectany of the linked web pages. Or, select a +fsign to the left of a link to see the "show-index" list for the adjacent linked page. Go to a page showLinked pages with an adjacent "o" do not an alphabetical list of chave any links on them, so a "show-index" on the "Seminars" wepage can't be created. Using this tool, youcan leap from page to page, looking at

Go to the "Seminars" Walphabetical lists of links on each page. Go to the "Seminars"This is just one more way for you to findwhat you need. You can look at the No links associated with tcategories, search the vage (use vour-. 0 -.....--- / . . . . . I ~ ' J/

browser menu-Edit, Find in/on page),

search the SLAGC web site, or, now, view the links on each page sorted alphabetically. Thanks to Les Cottrell

for this very useful feature!....... -

-Ruth McDunn

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