Commissioning and the Initial Operation of the LHC

Abstract

the LHC had seen seven full years of operation and a wealth of knowledge and experience has been built up. The key operational procedures and tools were well established. The understanding of beam dynamics was profound and utilized on-line by well-honed measurement and correction techniques. Key beam-related systems have been thoroughly optimised and functionality sufficiently enhanced to deal with most of the challenges encountered. Availability had been optimised significantly across all systems. This collective experience forms the initial operational basis for Run 3 and subsequent HL-LHC operation.A brief review of Run 1 and Run 2 is given below, firstly to outline the progress made, and secondly to highlight the issues encountered and surmounted along the way. An overview of operational features of the machine and the lessons learnt is then presented. The chapter concludes with brief look at consolidation activities in view of the need to sustain high availability and safe operation given the considerable challenges of the HL-LHC operational regime and the time-frame over which it will operate.