Wednesday, June 07, 2017, 10:00-12:00: Cooling was split/routed from two bottom lines with tees and run to the turbo pump.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014, 16:01

Target boat contains one pellet of carbon mesh coated with UC2.  The sample was prepared in the Ar-glove box and the container is wrapped with 2 layer of Ta foil (it wasn't easy to do the wrapping).

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

TGHT will be heated up to 600A. 

Wednesday, May 21, 2014, 11:40

Chamber has been pumped down overnight, vac @ 6.7e-6 Torr.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014, 10:51 

TGHT was heated up to 600A and stayed for 12hrs before cooled down (see attachment).

EDX/SEM/XRD will be done soon...

More information about this sample structure can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hirm808pgjwzg71/AAB1-kP399IbIa8AGdI-OMGua

 Friday, June 13, 2014, 14:57

Chamber was vented and cleaned for UCx target production. 

Will re-visit this later...

Monday, May 14, 2012, 15:04

Due to the differences in the use of the graphite foils in past SiC targets (C-grv foil from Alpha Aesar) and the newly prepared SiC#27 (C-grv foil from Ceramaterial), the out-gassing period for SiC#27 took over 6 days compared to 3 days for the vacuum to come down (see https://elog.triumf.ca/TIS/Evaporator_1/47). 

A few pieces of the new graphite foil is loaded on the target boat to test the out gassing reaction. 

The Evap #1 chamber has been pumped down to low 10e-5. 

Set to same parameter, see attachment#1

Initiated auto heating...

 Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 14:46

The target heater was ramped up to 820A.  There was so much out gassing as the temperature was increased.  The voltage did not hold at that current and the target heater was tripped off after the midnight.  (see attachment #2)

After the chamber was vented, it was discovered that the target boat's legs were bent due to over heating.  Both end of the targets where they touched the base got vaporized.  The boat was also got squeezed.  (see attachment #3).  

However, the heated graphite foils (~1600C at 820A) looks pretty good.  As per the supplier, CeraMaterials, the graphite was treated to 2000C.  See attachment #4 for the certificate.

 Monday, March 09, 2015, 16:55

After upgrading IOC for CXML program, experienced some issues; therefore, switched to same software as EVAP2.

Testing new software.

Chamber currently pumping down.

 Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 10:46

Chamber pumped down.

Initiated auto-ramp - not working, compilation errors...

 Tuesday, March 17, 2015, 11:47

Keiko fixed software update and rebooted IOC.

Everything seems to be working now.

 Wednesday, February 28, 2018, 15:19

Last two rounds of materials in evap1 have tripped off the TGHT in epics within minutes of the target reaching 520A.

Loaded an empty target boat, no heat shields.

Will ramp up with same speed as last two samples to see how TGHT reacts and whether a trip is induced or not.

Currently pumping down now.

 Thursday, March 01, 2018, 13:53

IGP1 = 9.6e-7 Torr

Tapped up to 100A @ 1.0A/s, waited ~6min

IGP1 = 1.77e-6 Torr

Tapped up 40A/min to 140A, waited ~2min

Tapped up 40A/min to 180A, waited ~2min

Tapped up @ a rate of 1.0A/s for 40sec, then wait 20sec. Used this rate consistently up to 520A.

TGHT = 520A, 5.75V

Friday, March 02, 2018, 10:09 

TGHT = 520A, 5.81V this morning.

TGHT still on! 

No trip induced.

IGP1 = 1.7e-6 Torr.

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min

 Thursday, March 05, 2018, 14:07

Container removed, test complete.

 Thursday, September 21, 2017, 11:32

Copper plate attached to TBHT to allow current to be applied.

Started pumping down this a.m.

Roughing pump sounds normal.

Currently Ion Gauge times out before turning on, will attempt again later when lower vacuum achieved...

 Monday, September 25, 2017, 13:30

Ion Gauge hadn't been fully hooked up via eipcs yet.

Ramped down last week/ vented/ hooked up ion gauge in epics/ restarted IOC - now updated and good to go.

Started pumping down again this a.m.

Roughing pump sounds normal.

Ion gauge working well!

IGP1 = 2.7e-5 Torr

 Wednesday, September 27, 2017, 09:20

Cooled down, vented in air and opened up yesterday.

TBHT ran well -  readout on power supply and readout on striptool were very close.

Roughing pump ran smoothly - nothing other than usual problems.

Sometimes when roughing pump is 1st turned on it chokes up and sounds TERRIBLE. At this point if you turn it off and leave it for a few seconds then try turning it on again it usually works fine.

Ion gauge ran well - direct readout vs striptool readout are slightly off because the direct readout is in mBar and the striptool in Torr.

One minor thing noticed with the new ion gauge - when water is turned on the vacuum increases very minorly by ~5e-8 Torr.

This wouldn't show up with the old Ion Gauge - maybe the new one is slightly more sensitive?

Otherwise everything ran great 

Friday, July 04, 2014, 10:13

Target boat contains 4 set of samples.  Each sample consists of 5pack ThO2/Nb.  (see photos).

The container is wrapped with 3 layers of heat shield. 

TGHT will be ramped up to 520A at 0.1A/min.

Chamber has been pumped over night, pressure at 4.20e-6 Torr.

The purpose of this test:

1.  Will the Ta- target boat survive at that current?

2.  How will ThO2 sintered?  Shrinkage? Grain-growth? mass loss? density? SEM will be done later.

3.  How will the pressure behave at the max operating temperature (or current)?

  Friday, July 04, 2014, 12:29

Stepped up TGHT to 40A,  Vac went to max at 3.5e-5 Torr and is coming down.

Auto-ramping initiated. 

 Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 10:20

Sample was successfully sinterred to 520A. 

SEM on raw, treated powder, and sintered samples were perform.  Pressure vs current plot can also be found. (see attachments)

More information can be found here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fj78m7tyy7mj99p/AABfm-fQMeoaWhf6HjT8Vzn1a

John Wong wrote:

Friday, July 04, 2014, 10:13 Target boat contains 4 set of samples.  Each sample consists of 5pack ThO2/Nb.  (see photos). The container is wrapped with 3 layers of heat shield.  TGHT will be ramped up to 520A at 0.1A/min. Chamber has been pumped over night, pressure at 4.20e-6 Torr. The purpose of this test: 1.  Will the Ta- target boat survive at that current? 2.  How will ThO2 sintered?  Shrinkage? Grain-growth? mass loss? density? SEM will be done later. 3.  How will the pressure behave at the max operating temperature (or current)?   Friday, July 04, 2014, 12:29 Stepped up TGHT to 40A,  Vac went to max at 3.5e-5 Torr and is coming down. Auto-ramping initiated.

Wednesday, July 09, 2014, 13:55

TGHT reached 520A tuesday morning. [see attached archive screenshot]

Initiated auto-cool at 1.0A/min tuesday afternoon.

Vented in air and took samples out of EVAP1 wednesday morning. [see attached sample photo]

Wednesday, September 07, 2011, 15:31

125 discs of TaC/C

Total discs mass = 125

Total length = 4.5mm

Total Mass = 30.41g

No Ta-heat shield. 

Left opening with D-TaC-sintered cap, and Right opening with regular TaC-sintered cap (orientation with the ionizer tube pointing out of the page).

Target is currently in the evaporator and being pumped down. 

Thursday, September 08, 2011, 09:13

Evaporator has been pumped down over night, IG1 currently at 1.74 e-6 Torr.   

Will begin TGHT, max @ 580A.

TGHT @ 50A, vac stable @ 1.7e-6 Torr.

Thursday, September 08, 2011, 10:18 

THGT @ 90A, pressure is increasing, currently at 4.7e-5 Torr and going up. 

 Thursday, September 08, 2011, 10:25

Auto-heating has begun. Set rate at 2A/min to max current 580A.

Incrementing if vac < 5.0 e-5 Torr, backing off if vac > 6.0 e-5 Torr. 

Friday, September 09, 2011, 07:58

TGHT auto cool down started @ 02:00, and at 0A.  IG currently @ 1.3e-6 Torr.  Venting chamber in progress.  Target will be removed from the evaporator afterward.

Target looks good :)  No signs of damage on the end cap or the target oven overall. 

See attachment 1 for the striptool. 

See attachment 2 and 3 for the target and endcaps after the sintering process.

 Friday, April 05, 2019, 10:04

A tantalum tube was coated with TaC and wrapped with Ta heat-shield (3 layers)

Desired temp = 1900 C (expected TGHT ~445A/7.5V), TBHT will be set fixed at 230A (max).

Yesterday the tube was set in the EVAP1 and pumped down.

Friday, April 05, 2019, 10:07 

IGP1= 1.61e-6 Torr

The current is manually tapped to 40 A.

Friday, April 05, 2019, 13:25

After ~2 hours 

IGP1 = 1.54e-6 Torr

TGHT = 0.61 V, 40.39 A

Autoramp is set to 1 A/min to 400 A

Good vac at 3.00-5 Torr

Bad vac at 5.0e-5 Torr.

Sunday, April 07, 2019, 9:00

The current was increased to 424 A

Monday, April 08, 2019, 16:36

EVAP1 vented with air, sintered tube was removed. 

Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 9:36

Cartridge #10 loaded with 213 plus 3 analysi discs

To be reduced inside a Ta container tube.  Tube wrapped in 3 Ta foil heatshields.

Reduction for 4 hours and then 8 hours @ 450A

Good Vacuum: 5.0e-04 Torr

Bad Vacuum: 5.0e-02 Torr

Initial pressure is 2.4 e-06 Torr

 Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 10:56

Starting heat ramp at 2A/min to 60A

First pressure bump observed at 60A

Allowing pressure to restabilize

Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 13:12

IGP1=2.6 e-5 Torr

continuing to heat at 2A/min

Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 13:35

another pressure bump observed around 90A (should go slowly in these current range).  Aborted ramp, waiting for pressure to stabilize.

pressure rose to around 2.5e-02 Torr (close to our bad pressure)

Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 13:52

IGP1=5.4e-04 Torr Start ramp at 2A/min

Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 17:53

Pressure has started to drop so increased ramp to 4A/min

 Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 18:18

 Second small pressure bump observed at 482A and 5.0 V.  Pressure falling.  Will leave at 500A for 4 hours . 

 Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 22:00

IGP1= 8.0 e-06 Torr

TGHT=500A, 5.2V

Initiate rampdown to 450A and will leave there for 8 hours

Thursday, October 12, 2023, 07:02

Initiate rampdown to zero.  IGP1=3.21e-06 Torr

TGHT= 450A, 4.6V

The right connector for the TGHT had rotated. It has now been repositioned and both connectors have been tightened to reduce the chance for further rotation.

 Tuesday, November 07, 2017, 14:34

LP-FEBIAD used several years ago for temperature measurements is used for this test.

3xTa heat shields on container, incl center block - these heat shields have remained on there since the last round of tests in 2014?

Old version of LP container with larger center block.

Will heat TBHT to 290A and report data.

Loaded into evap1 and pumped down this a.m

IGP1 = 7.73e-6 Torr

Wednesday, November 08, 2017, 13:20

Tapped up to 290A manually.

TBHT epics controls = 287.7A, 2.45V

TBHT power supply = 290.4A, 2.46V

IGP1 epics = 2.51e-6 Toor

IGP1 direct readout = 3.18e-6 Torr

TP = 26.1C

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min

 Thursday, November 09, 2017, 11:41

Vented in air.

TBHT test went well. 

See attachment for data collected.

Mon Apr 18 18:10:53 2011: 

FEBIAD-HP target (w.o 38295-8) is coated with TaC (previously prepared on Feb 15, 2011).  This target will be used for the SiC run in Oct, 2011.  The target is wrapped with 3 Ta-heat shields and is in the evaporator.  Pumping down of the evaporator is in process, currently vac @ 3.66e-5 Torr.   

Tue Apr 19 11:00:36 2011: Evaporator has been pumped down over night (~17hrs).  Vac is currently at 1.84e-6 Torr (See Attachment#1: pumping down curve).

Tue Apr 19 11:09:49 2011: TGHT @ 30A/0.086V, Vac @ 1.82e-6 Torr.

Tue Apr 19 11:13:05 2011: TGHT @ 60A/0.184V, Vac @ 1.75e-6 Torr.

Tue Apr 19 11:14:06 2011: Auto-heating will begin @ 0.5A/min until vacuum is stable then the auto ramping rate will increase. (See Attachment#2: parameter setup).

Tue Apr 19 14:27:08 2011:  TGHT is currently at 148A/0.65V, vac @ 1.92e-5 Torr.  The pressure spiked up to 7.7e-5 Torr (trip @ 8e-5 Torr) at ~124A.  The current was lowered down to 120A to allow the pressure to come down (See Attachment#3: Vac_curve).   Auto-heating rate has changed to 1A/min. 

Wed Apr 20 10:08:52 2011:  TGHT reached to 700A and stayed for about 5 hours.  ISAC Ops helped to start the auto cooling down process.  (See Attachment#3: Overall Process). 

Tue Apr 26 11:12:36 2011

Result:  The dried coating isn't looking the same like the rest of the target.  Typically, the finished coating looks gray.  But a layer (or line) of light brown coating can been seen from one end of the target to the other end. 

--> This target was heated up to 700A.  Will try to re-heat this again to 820A. 

Re-heating the Target

Tue Apr 26 12:44:30 2011:  Target is wrapped with 3 Ta-heat shield and is in the evaporator which is currently being pumped down. 

Tue Apr 26 17:39:40 2011:  TGHT was tapped up to 70A before began with auto-heating @ 2A/min to 820A max.  Currently TGHT at 204A/1.0V, Vac @ 3.97e-6 Torr.  ISAC Ops will help to start auto cooling at 04:00 on April 27.

Wed Apr 27 12:26:41 2011: Auto cooling completed.  P/S off and evaporator is vented, (See Attachment#5: Overall Process_2).  Target oven looks good; finished surface looks gray, as expected. 

Wed Apr 20 16:39:46 2011:  Target oven was coated with TaC early today.  The target was allowed to dry and then wrapped with 3 Ta heat-shields.  The target is in the evaporator and it is being pumped down.  Vac is currently at 9.48e-6 Torr. 

Wed Apr 20 17:51:12 2011 : TGHT @ 60A/0.225V, Vac @ 5.98e-6 Torr. 

Wed Apr 20 18:20:04 2011: Auto-heating begins @ 0.5A/min to max of 820A.

Thu Apr 21 10:12:34 2011: TGHT was auto ramping up slowly over night to 546A this morning.  The ramping rate has changed to 2A/min since the vacuuum is stable at ~3.9e-6 Torr.

 Tue Apr 26 11:10:03 2011:  TGHT reached to 820A max on April 21 and stayed at that current for a few hours.  ISAC Ops helped to ramped down the heater afterward.  (See attachment#1: Overall Process).

Result:  Good!  TaC is coated evenly on the target. 

Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 09:29: Target Boat wrapped with 3 Ta heat shields. 6 D-End Caps and 6 End Caps coated with TaC. Pumping down - vac at 3.6e-5 torr.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 10:35: Stepped heater up to 100 A. Vacuum tripped heater. Stepped back up to 80 A then 70 A. Vac at 4.5e-5 torr.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 14:30: Manually increased heater to 580 A. Vac is 2.5e-5 torr. Local reading is 561 A for 570 A and 570 A for 580 A set points.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 15:57: Manually decreased heater in 12 min to 0 A from 460 A  vac starting at 6.3e-6 torr.

Anders Mjos wrote:

Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 09:29: Target Boat wrapped with 3 Ta heat shields. 6 D-End Caps and 6 End Caps coated with TaC. Pumping down - vac at 3.6e-5 torr. Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 10:35: Stepped heater up to 100 A. Vacuum tripped heater. Stepped back up to 80 A then 70 A. Vac at 4.5e-5 torr. Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 14:30: Manually increased heater to 580 A. Vac is 2.5e-5 torr. Local reading is 561 A for 570 A and 570 A for 580 A set points. Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 15:57: Manually decreased heater in 12 min to 0 A from 460 A  vac starting at 6.3e-6 torr.

 Vented evaporator. 

 Thursday, August 14, 2014, 17:54

Target container consists of 240 discs of ThO2/Nb discs.  The container is not required to be wrapped with Ta-heat shields.  

One end cap is inserted on the left end (wrt to the ionizer pointing into the page).  

The chamber is currently being pumped down.  

TGHT will be heated up to 520A, ramping rate at 0.1A/min.

 Friday, August 15, 2014, 15:55

A sampling filter has been installed by RPG; this will be used to analyze any volatile particle releases out from the target. 

An alpha monitor is being install on the exhaust line; air sample will be collected for further analyzse.  

Vacuum has come down to 7.2 e-6 Torr.  

Target heat will be ramped up on Monday since it is coming late to the day.  

Chamber will continue to pump down.  

Next week, RPG will start taking the first air sample before the target is heated up.  More discussion on that later...

 Monday, August 18, 2014, 11:18

Chamber has been pumped down over the weekend. 

Pressure @ 2.67e-6 Torr. 

Note:  RPG decides not to take any gas sample since the filter installed in between the backing and turbo pumps is sufficient for the analysis.

TGHT stepped up to 30A.

 Monday, August 18, 2014, 14:17

TGHT stepped up further to 40A; Pressure stabalized >100min at 4e-6 Torr, bp @ 44mTorr.

Initiated auto-ramping.

 Thursday, August 21, 2014, 17:20

TGHT continues to ramp up and pressure is coming down - Currently @ 7.7-6 Torr.

Increased TGHT ramping rate to 0.5A/min. 

The sintering process will be complete by Friday (Aug 8, 21), and the chamber will be cooled down over the weekend.

By Monday, the chamber can be vented in air, and the target can be removed from the chamber.  Then RPG can remove the filter in the backing pump for the analysis.

 Friday, August 22, 2014, 08:57

TGHT has reached to 520A for just over 10 hrs.  Vac at 8.6e-6 Torr, BP @ 40mTorr.

Cooling initiated at 2A/min

 Friday, August 22, 2014, 16:52

Target was cooled to room temp and was removed from the chamber.

5 discs were removed from the target because it was shrunk up; the rest of the discs were fine.  

2 extra Nb foils and end cap were inserted. 

Target is stored in the Hotlab - awaiting to be assembled.

 Monday, August 29, 2011, 13:16: Target oven was coated with TaC and let dry over night.  The target oven is in the evaporator and currently being pumped down.  

Monday, August 29, 2011, 15:12: Currently vac @ 8.41e-6 torr. 

Monday, August 29, 2011, 15:32: Stepped current up to 77A, started to see increase in pressure. 

Monday, August 29, 2011, 15:39:  Stepped current up to 110A.  Vac @ 1.32e-5 Torr.

Monday, August 29, 2011, 15:53: Vac went up to 3.8e-5 Torr @ 110A after 8 mins.  Brought TGHT back down to 100A, and began auto heating @ 2.0A/min to max current of 520A.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 08:39:  TGHT reached to 520A and was cool down by ISAC Ops at around 00:30.  See attachment#1 for striptool.  Evaporator will be vented. 

John Wong wrote:

Monday, August 29, 2011, 13:16: Target oven was coated with TaC and let dry over night.  The target oven is in the evaporator and currently being pumped down.   Monday, August 29, 2011, 15:12: Currently vac @ 8.41e-6 torr.  Monday, August 29, 2011, 15:32: Stepped current up to 77A, started to see increase in pressure.  Monday, August 29, 2011, 15:39:  Stepped current up to 110A.  Vac @ 1.32e-5 Torr. Monday, August 29, 2011, 15:53: Vac went up to 3.8e-5 Torr @ 110A after 8 mins.  Brought TGHT back down to 100A, and began auto heating @ 2.0A/min to max current of 520A. Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 08:39:  TGHT reached to 520A and was cool down by ISAC Ops at around 00:30.  See attachment#1 for striptool.  Evaporator will be vented.

 Tuesday, September 06, 2011, 17:04:  Re-conditioning sintered-TaC-coated target oven filled with sintered D-endcap.  No heat-shields.  Evaporator is currently pumping down:  CG2 = 51mT, IG1 = 2.65e-5 Torr.

TGHT auto-heating started by ISAC Ops as per JW at 18:45 yesterday when vacuum level at 6.6 e-6 Torr.  Then auto-cooling began at 05:30 this morning. BP @ 50mT - time to change backing pump oil. (see attachement1: overall striptool)

Wednesday, September 07, 2011, 11:16: Vented evaporator.  BP oil will be changed by Edi.