Bevalac versatility: Operations achievements in the multi-tasking mode

Demand for relativistic heavy ion beams at the Bevalac has increased dramatically in the past two years. To keep pace, the Bevalac makes use of five injectors, precise guide field control, preset beam transport line tunes, nine nuclear science target areas, and three biology/radiotherapy areas, along with elegant control computer algorithms, to achieve high operating efficiency. Routine operation includes as many as ten ion/energy/beamline changes per day, 15 major nuclear science experiments each year, radiotherapy on nearly a daily basis, with biology experiments operating biweekly. High operating efficiency and low failure rates combine to produce high annual research hours. 12 refs., 2 figs