Friday, March 28, 2025, 06:49

The coated container was wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshields.

Vacuum IGP1 initial =8.0e-07 Torr

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1800-1850 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Starting ramp at 2A/min

Friday, March 28, 2025, 09:41

At 412A readback on TGHT OMEGA reads 1702 C.  Maybe re-use of Ta heatshields resulted in loss of efficiency.  Will ramp to 420 A and leave for 4 hours.

Friday, March 28, 2025, 14:25

Started rampdown at -2A/min TGHT and -1A/min TBHT

Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 15:25

The coated container as wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshields.

Vacuum IGP1 initial =e-07 Torr

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1800-1850 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Will be left overnight to pump down

Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 09:07

starting ramp up at 2A/min to 230A for both TGHT and TBHT

Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 12:48

1800 C at 400A TGHT, 6.9V TGHT

Leaving for 4 hours

Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 13:08

The coated container was wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshields.

Vacuum IGP1 initial =

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1800-1850 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Thursday, March 20, 2025, 06:10 

IGP1 initial = 6.1e-7 Torr

 start ramp at 2A/min

Thursday, March 20, 2025, 07:04

paused ramp to prevent pressure spike

Thursday, March 20, 2025, 10:16

OMEGA 1800 C @ TGHT = 402A, 6.8V

Will leave for 4 hours.

Thursday, March 20, 2025, 13:53

Starting rampdown at 2A/min TGHT and 1A/min TBHT

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 06:48

The coated container was wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshields.

Vacuum IGP1 initial =9.1 e-07 Torr

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1850-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp starged a 2A/min on  TGHT   and TBHT

 to =300 A TGHT and 230A TBHT

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 13:47

OMEGA read 1850C at 380A on TGHT.  The temperature dropped and current was raised to 390A, 6.5V on TGHT.

TBHT was kept at 230A, 3.2V

Temperature dropped to 1756 after 4 hours of sintering.  Will start rampdown at -2A/min for TGHT and -1A/min TBHT. 

Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 15:44

The coated container was wrapped in 3 Ta foil heatshields.

16 caps and 4 springs

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1750-1800C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= N/A

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 07:07

Heating autoramp started at 1A/min on  TGHT 90A

Then at 4A/min  to 400 A.

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

 IGP1 initial =4.8e-07 Torr

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 09:52

starting ramp at 2A/min to 400A 

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 10:21

increasing ramp to 4A/min (2A/30s)

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 11:57

TGHT=441A, 7.2V

Will keep for 4 hours

1750C

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 15:57

starting rampdown at -2A/min

Monday, March 10, 2025, 09:50

The coated container was wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshield and left in evap2  over weekend to decrease pressure.

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1850-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~650A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp starged at 2A/min on  TGHT  and TBHT to 120A

Then at 2 A/min  to =400 A TGHT and 230A TBHT

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Initial IGP1=

 Monday, March 10, 2025, 10:36

Initial IGP1= 8.5 e-06 torr

Starting ramp to 120A for both TGHT and TBHT

Monday, March 10, 2025, 16:57

RD TGHT =686A set to 700A, 10.8V

TBHT = 230A, 3.1V

OMEGA= 1710

Will leave for 4 hours

 Monday, March 10, 2025, 20:42

IGP1=7.9e-06 Torr

OMEGA= 1750 C

TGHT = 686 A, 10.8V

TBHT= 230A, 3.1 V

starting rampdown at -2A/min TGHT and -1A/min TBHT

Monday, March 03, 2025, 17:56

LP FEBIAD WO# 45447-21 initial wt=471.0 g (without T bar)

wrapped in 4 Ta heatshields.

Will heat at 2A/min to 95A on TGHT and TBHT

Then will heat at 2A/min to 1800 C ~400A on TGHT and 230A on TBHT

 Monday, March 03, 2025, 18:01

IGP1=3.3e-06 Torr

started initial ramp to 95A

Monday, March 03, 2025, 21:52

Start 4 hour count at 940 pm 

OMEGA reading 1750 C

TGHT= 435 A set and RD = 426 A, 7.0V

TGHT = 230A

Tuesday, March 04, 2025, 01:42

Start rampdown

Saturday, February 01, 2025, 09:23

The coated container was wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshield and left in evap2 over night to attain vacuum.

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1850-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~650A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp starged at 1A/min on  TGHT  and TBHT to 120A

Then at 2 A/min  to =400 A TGHT and 230A TBHT

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Initial IGP1=5.6e-07Torr

Saturday, February 01, 2025, 11:05

@ 194A, 2.5V on TGHT, the pressure is dropping (has been dropping since 150A).  starting ramp at 4a/min

Thursday, February 13, 2025, 11:40

Log entries lost as computer rebooted.  Max temperature on OMEGA was 1850 C and held for 4 hours.  Cooled @ -2A/min TGHT and -1A/min TBHT.

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 09:17

Left to pump down on previous night

The coated container was wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshields.

Vacuum IGP1 initial =8.1 e-06 Torr

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1850-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~500A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp starged at 0.5A/min(1A/120s) to 60A on both TGHT and TBHT

Then at 0.5A/min  to 90 A, both TGHT and 230A TBHT

When pressure stable will ramp at 2A/min to ~500A on TGHT and 230A on TBHT

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 09:20

currently ramping to 90A

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 12:30

Ramping to 120A @ 0.5 A/min

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 13:59

Ramping to 140 A at 1A/min (to check pressure change.  So far with slower heating, pressure has not spiked very high).

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 15:59

Started ramping @ 2A/30s to 500 A on TGHT

TBHT is at 230A

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 21:25

Target was sintered when OMEGA reading 1700-1750 C

At 640-660A on TGHT RD

Check target coating and repeat these setting if good.

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 21:43

Cooling started at -2A/min on TGHT and -1A/min TBHT

Saturday, November 23, 2024, 11:08

 No milling ZrC material sintering inside graphite cartridge

baseline standard discs included for comparison. 

4 Ta foils wrapped around  container

one spring at the back end to retain the graphite cartridge

One Ta cap with perforations at the front for T readings

initial heating at 2A/min to 50A, followed by heating at 1A/min to 90 A

Initial IGP1= 1.0e-6 Torr

OMEGA slope =0.990

Good and bad vacuum =5.0e-5 Torr and 5e-4 torr

Saturday, November 23, 2024, 11:20

autoramp start at 2A/min to 50A on tght

Saturday, November 23, 2024, 20:11

allowed pressure to drop to 3.3e-6 Torr after degassing. 

Started ramp to 90A at 1A/min

Saturday, November 23, 2024, 23:46

started ramping at 1.5A/120s or 0.75A/min to 400A

Sunday, November 24, 2024, 07:55

Reached 1900 C at 410 A setpoint and 402 A on RD

Pressure did not increase after bumping up to 410 setpoint so will keep at this current until 11 am (four hours near 1900 C in total)

Sunday, November 24, 2024, 10:58

Final IGP1 at start of rampdown = 2.9e-6 Torr

Ramping down at -2A/min

Wednesday, October 02, 2024, 19:21

Ta endcup at front end of container

End-caps on the graphite cartridge have holes for outgassing. 

initial heating @ 2A/min to 85 A then 2A/min to 120A TGHT.  Allow pressure to drop and then ramp to 400 A at 2A/min, leave 4 hours and start ramp down.

OMEGA slope = 0.99

Vacuum limits up to 400A: 5.0e-04 Torr -- 1.0e-02 Torr

Max current~400A (1900 C)

Wednesday, October 02, 2024, 19:25

Starting IGP1 = 6.65e-06 Torr

Thursday, October 03, 2024, 05:09

Starting rampdown.  Pressure stable at 4.5 e-06 Torr

Top temperature 1850 C on OMEGA

ramping down at -2A/min

A boat lined up with graphite and wrapped in 3 Ta heatshileds

Vacuum IGP1 initial =6.1 e-06 Torr

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1800-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp started semi-manually on  TGHT  to 65A and then at continue to 100A

After peak heat at 1A/min  to =400 A TGHT

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 22:22

1810C OMEGA at 439A TGHT readback

Monday, September 09, 2024, 19:06

The coated container was wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshields.

Vacuum IGP1 initial =2.6 e-06 Torr

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1800-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp starged at 1A/min on  TGHT   and TBHT until outgassin peak passed

Then at 1A/min  to =400 A TGHT and 230A TBHT

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Monday, September 09, 2024, 19:08

Peak passed around 70A will continue ramp up at 1A/min to 400A on TGHT and 230A TBHT

Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 13:13

Was ramped down at -2 A/min TGHT and -1 A/min TBHT

Saturday, September 07, 2024, 09:54

The coated container was wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshields.

Vacuum IGP1 initial =8.1 e-07 Torr

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1850-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Heating ramp manually to 50A on TGHT and TBHT

Then at 1A/min  to =400 A TGHT and 230A TBHT

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

Saturday, September 07, 2024, 17:38

At 400 A set point on TGHT, read back is 392A and OMEGA reads 1840C.   TBHT set to 230A reads 233A.

It will be kept at this current for four hours before rampdown.

Friday, August 30, 2024, 11:31

The coated container was wrapped in 4 Ta foil heatshields.

Vacuum IGP1 initial =3.1 e-07 Torr

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1850-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final Current TBHT= 230 A

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp starged at 1A/min on  TGHT  100A and TBHT

Then at 1A/min  to =400 A TGHT and 230A TBHT

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-04 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-02 Torr

note: Left TBHT hole is off from center by a good margin

Sunday, September 01, 2024, 07:32

Starting initial ramp at 1A/min to 50A

Sunday, September 01, 2024, 15:20

have ramped ;up at 1A/min on both TGHT and TBHT but had two issues.

1) Set current and readback current have discrepancies but the TBHT discrepancy is significant (TBHT Set at 188 while RD is 231.9 A @ 1.9V)

   TGHT also has odd behavior with set point 405 giving 392A RD and 0.067V.  Will hold until 430pm before starting ramp down

Sunday, September 01, 2024, 16:30

Started rampdown at -2A/min TGHT and -1A/min TBHT

Note: OMEGA not able to give any reasonable readings

Tuesday, September 03, 2024, 13:51

After troubleshooting EVAP2 it was found that a copper line was touching the metal encasement grid most likely resulting in a short.  A short was seeing and it disappeared after moving the copper line away from the grid.  

Upon restarting on epics the PS went to maximum current and it was shut off after 30seconds to a minute.  The system was checked again by Arthur and TGHT was manually increased to 5A and then set to Zero again.  Arthur thinks that the PS probably requires this step after switching from local controls to remote.  Will start the sintering again as the container is coated but not sintered.

Tuesday, September 03, 2024, 14:03

ramping at 1A/min on both TGHT and TBHT to 90A. 

Tuesday, September 03, 2024, 22:25  

Started rampdown at -2A/min TGHT and -1A/min TBHT.  HIgh temperature from OMEGA was 1825 C at 430A readback on TGHT. 

Monday, August 19, 2024, 13:06

Target container consists of 2 samples, and both samples were heat stabilized at 150 C for 24 hours then pre-oxidized at 360 C for 4 hours:

1.  PVP (7% wt/v) spun fibres 0.0569 g

2.  np-Ta (Dope 7) spun fibres: 0.1730 g

Samples are wrapped in graphite foil and loaded into a target boat which is wrapped with Ta foil.

Omega slope set at 0.99.

Similar heat treatment as the 1st attempt, see e-log #667 (1800 C = 402A/7.2V).

Good vac = 3 e-5 Torr

Bad vac = 5 e-5 Torr.

Chamber is currently pumping down.

 Monday, August 19, 2024, 16:52

Chamber pressure @ 4.6e-6 Torr.

Initiate auto-ramping at 1A/min to reach 400A.

Continue to monitor the pressure and TGHT.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 09:48

TGHT reached 400 A/6.87V about 10 hr ago.  But the temperature has been holding at 1665 C. 

The voltage is much lower this time compared to the previous heat treatment.  See attachment #1 for the overall process.

Ramping up to 450A.  Continue monitoring..

Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 15:43

TGHT at 450A (readback 441A)/7.892V, temperature holding at 1803C

Pressure coming down from 1.62e-6 Torr. 

Continue to hold on the temperature for a few more hours before cooling it down

 Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 09:40

Temperature was holding for about 18 hours before ramping down TGHT was initiated at 2A/min.

The samples can be taken out after 2 pm.

Marla Cervantes wrote:

Marla Cervantes wrote: Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 17:20 Pressure kept increasing when turning the turbo pump on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 18:00 Pressure stayed constant when turning the turbo pump on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 10:18 The turbo pump started up normally. System is purging. and tomorrow the target will be heated.

 Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 16:19

• Next ramping: 0.5 A/ 2min  to 250 A.

Very slow rate to allow thermal equilibrium and temperature measurements. Estimated time 3h.

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 08:21

IGP1 = 5.3e-7 Torr

Good vacuum 3e-5 Torr

Bad vacuum 5e-5 Torr

Initial ramping: 2 A/min to 200 A.

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 09:01. Pressure starting to increase at 74 A

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 09:15. Pressure stabilizing 1.8e-6 Torr. Current 103 A, voltage 1.3 V

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 09:21. Pressure increasing (116 A).

 Thursday, August 15, 2024, 09:29 Pressure dropping (Current approx. 120 A)

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 10:54

Started ramping to find a pressure peak corresponding to V vaporization.

IGP1 = 6.4e-7

TGHT = 200 A, 2.9 V, omega 1152 °C

Next ramping: 0.5 A/ 2min  to 250 A

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 11:17

Ramp seem to slow. The temperature change was too subtle (according to the omega).

IGP1 = 6.5e-7

TGHT = 205 A, 3.03 V, omega 1157 °C

Next ramping: 1 A/ 2min  to 250 A

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 11:32

Ramp changed to 0.5 A/min

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 11:54

Ramp was stopped because the pressure was increasing, suggesting the V vaporization.

IGP1 = 6.9e-7

TGHT = 222 A, 3.3 V

Omega 1210 °C, filament 1280 °C

The difference between pyrometers is negligible, suggesting that the V vaporization temperature at 6e-7 Torr of approx. 1300 °C

 Thursday, August 15, 2024, 13:15

IGP1 = 7.9e-7

TGHT = 250 A, 3.8 V

Omega 1289 °C

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 13:16

Ramp set to 0.5 A/min to 300 A

 Pressure mini-spike at 13:18

Omega reading 1291 °C

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 14:08

IGP1 = 8.5e-7

TGHT = 270 A, 4.18 V

Omega 1375 °C, filament 1400 °C

The system stayed at those conditions for 15min

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 14:11

Ramping to 0A at 2A/min

Marla Cervantes wrote:

Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 17:20 Pressure kept increasing when turning the turbo pump on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 18:00 Pressure stayed constant when turning the turbo pump on

Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 10:18

The turbo pump started up normally. System is purging. and tomorrow the target will be heated.

Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 17:20 Pressure kept increasing when turning the turbo pump on

Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 18:00 Pressure stayed constant when turning the turbo pump on

Aaron Schmidt wrote:

Wednesday, August 07, 2024, 15:36: Roughing. Had initially been roughed & TP started w/ Marla CS, however it timed out. Restarting. Wednesday, August 07, 2024, 15:37: TP on. Wednesday, August 07, 2024, 15:46: Tripped at 4 KRPM. Restarted. Up to 5 KRPM. Failed to start. Thursday, August 08, 2024, 10:00: TP started.  Thursday, August 08, 2024, 10:12: TP Tripped but nearly spun up. Reset & Restarted. TP Green / on.

Thursday, August 08, 2024, 10:43

A cartridge was filled with graphite foils and loaded in an uncoated tantalum tube. The tube was wrapped with four Ta-sheets. A Ta-foil was placed in the tube's right end for measuring the temperature.

Good vacuum 3e-5 Torr

Bad vacuum 5e-5 Torr

Initial IGP1 = 5.06E-7 Torr

Starting ramp at 1A/min to 200 A

Friday, August 09, 2024, 09:40 Pressure started to rise, but temperature is not within pyrometer range yet. Current 42 A, Voltage 0.5 V

Friday, August 09, 2024, 10:46 Pressure started to reduce (peak 1.4e-5 Torr). Temperature is not within pyrometer range yet Current 100 A, Voltage 1.3 V

Friday, August 09, 2024, 11:28 Temperature started to be detected, but not stable enough. Current 135 A, Voltage 1.9 V

Friday, August 09, 2024, 12:54 Temperature 1129 °C, current 196 A, voltage 3 V.

Friday, August 09, 2024, 12:56

Next ramp 0.5A/min while taking temperature readings periodically until 250A

Friday, August 09, 2024, 14:45

IGP1 = 1.0e-6 Torr

Next ramp 1A/min to 480 A aiming at 2000 °C

Friday, August 09, 2024, 17:13

IGP1 = 1.9e-6 Torr, Current 327A, Voltage 5.3V

Ramp changed to 2A/min to 480 A aiming at 2000 °C

Coolded down after 4 hours at ~2000°C

at -2A/min