Wednesday, August 24, 2016, 17:05

Target container was previously coated with TaC and sintered up to 1900C at 420A/7.01V

Container is loaded with beta-SiC 432 discs at 16cm in length. 

Container is wrapped with Ta-heat shield; no end-caps are used at this time.

Chamber is being pumped down.

 Thursday, August 25, 2016, 12:04

Chamber has been pumped down overnight.  Pressure at 5.9e-7 Torr.

HS water valve opened; no leaks were detected.

Sintering temperature 1800C. TGHT will be set accordingly to get the desired temperature.  TBHT max at 230A.

Thursday, August 25, 2016, 12:12

Tapped up TGHT/TBHT to 40A.  Vac at 7e-6 and slowly going up  but still below limit.

 Monday, August 29, 2016, 11:04

TGHT and TBHT reached to 250A (3.65V)//230A(3.02V), respectively, and kept stable over the weekend. 

Temp measured at 1372C with slope set at 1.04 (1230C at slope 0.98). 

No visible coating on windows. 

Setting up TGHT to reach 1800C; monitoring locally

 Monday, August 29, 2016, 14:35

Stepped up TGHT to 390A/6.54V; light coating was observed on the windows.  The temperature should be around 1800C which should be in line with the power (current) deposited in the container during the TaC coat sintering process (1900A at 420A); however, with the light coating the reading may be off.  

Mikron was used to measured inside of the tube (away from the discs); temperature was measured at ~1800C, (see attachment)  [adjusted slope at 1.00 to compensate the SiC disc and Ta]  

Omega was used to measured the temperature of the discs.  It is difficult to know what's the temperature inside the tube, so this measurement  is only taken as a guideline.  Slope changed from 1.04 to 1.15 to match Mikron's reading.  

After heated at  390A for 30 mins, the windows are now coated.  Temp reading is no longer reliable.  The temperature could be above 1800C.  Keeping a close monitor!!!

No blockage inside the tube was observed.  

Will remain heating at 390A/6.44V for overnight before proceeding with the re-conditioning. 

 Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 10:41

Target was heated at 390A  for over 10 hours and then cool down at 1A/min (see attachment#2).  Windows were fully coated and Omega couldn't register any reading. 

Chamber will be vented and target will be inspected before proceeding with the re-conditioning step.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 12:13  

Target was inspected; no visible damage was observed (see attachment)

Material coated on the windows and the cu heat shields;  all parts were wiped off with acetone. 

No visible material build up inside the container. 

Chamber is now being pumped down for re-conditiing.  

 Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 13:05

HS water valves open; no leaks detected.  

Vac at 3.6 e-6 Torr.  

Ready to set up TGHT/TBHT

 Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 16:41

TGHT/TBHT stepped up to 340A (5.40V) /230A (3.1V), respectively. 

Temperature was measured at 1835C at TGHT of 340A.  Omega, Mikron and analogue pyrometer were all reading ~1800C inside the tube (not on the SiC surface).  For that reason, I decided to stop the current at 340A, instead of 390A.  

TGHT voltage is running stable.  

No visible coating or blockage inside the tube was observed.  

Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 11:53

A thin layer of coating is observed on both the side windows (see attachment 5).  The temp reading is no longer reliable.

TGHT remains at 340A/5.45V.  P/S voltage is performing steadily.  

No clogging inside the tube is observed. 

Setting up another Omega reader to measure temperature from the front window since this window is clear and won't get coated (see attachment #6).

Temperature measurement from the front window is ~1140C; this corresponds to the measurement from the analogue pyrometer with the correction of e=~0.2 for tantalum at 1100C.

Note:  The temperature measurements should be taken as relative.  Since the reading from the side windows isn't reliable any longer, the centre window will give some information how stable the temperature is holding during the reconditioning process.  Continue to monitor.

 Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 16:24

About two hours ago, I increased TGHT to 350A and stayed there for a few mins (see attachment 7).  No change in temp was observed - that's mainly due to the coating on the windows.  As for the temp measurement from the center window, a more power current input would require to see the change as heat is slowly propagating through the layers of Ta heatshields.

Local inspection on the target: no clogging inside the tube. Voltage/Current is stable at 340A/5.45V.  Vac at 1.43e-7 Torr.

 Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 23:00

Strange observation:  Temperature readers on both omega have gone up. (see attachment 8).

I'm not sure if the temperature is reiiable.  I actually saw the increase in temperature ~1850C  last night around the same time; no change in TGHT current/voltage.  By the next morning, it went back down to 1400C with significant coating on the windows.

 Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 23:28

I had ISAC Op (Justin) to help me go into the Hotlab and take a look at the reading on Mikron.  Indeed, it is reading about 2000C which is close to the Omega reading.  He also looked into the tube through Mikron scope and found no clogging inside the tube.

To be safe, I am going to lower the TGHT heater down to reach ~1800C.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 23:41

Lower TGHT to 305A/4.81V; OMEGA reading at 1830C.  Vac at 1.27e-7 Torr.  Will remain at this current over night. 

 Thursday, September 01, 2016, 12:16

Checked on the target.  

Temperature readings, right windows (omega)= 1726C, centre = 1100C (omega), left (Mikron) = 1720C.  

No blockage inside the tube.  

TGHT stabilizes at 305A/4.79V.  Vac at 1.09e-7 Torr.  

 Thursday, September 01, 2016, 16:32

 About an hour ago, the temp dropped to 1660C with no change in TGHT current/voltage (see attachment 9).

Vac is a 1.06e-7 Torr. 

After consulting with Friedhelm, we decided to cool the target down and inspect it tomorrow.

Ramping TGHT/TBHT at 2A/min.

 Wednesday, September 07, 2016, 15:13

The target was removed from the Evap and inspected. 

Some spots on both ends and ionizer tube were crystalized.  (see attachment 10). 

No blockage inside the tube was observed. 

End caps were inserted.

The target was assembled and tested - All seems fine. 

Monday, February 01, 2021, 13:52  

Ta boat loaded with 20 Disc on either end capped with Ta springs to prevent overexpansion.   discs wrapped Graphite foil and boat wrapped in Ta heat-shields (3 layers).

Sample A on left side and sample B on right side.

Desired temperature= 1800C (expected TGHT 410 A).

good vacuum = 3.00 e-05 Torr

bad vacuum = 5.00 e-05 Torr

Evap2 left to pump down over night.

 Tuesday, February 02, 2021, 10:01

Pressure stable at IGP1= 7.8e-7 Torr

TGHT autoramp  set to 50 A @ 1/min

Tuesday, February 02, 2021, 13:45

IGP1=3.5e-6 Torr

TGHT =49.9 A, 0.56 V

Ramp at 1A/min to 100A

Wednesday, February 03, 2021, 08:25

IGP1= 5.5 e-07 Torr

TGHT = 100 A, , 1.2 V

Yesterday the camera failed to operate.  Cloud service discontinued.  The TS camera is offline but it is a different provider.  Will start ramping to 400A .

Ramp rate 2A/min

Wednesday, February 03, 2021, 15:55

ramped up to 520 A and 9.1V TGHT

Temperature average 1644 C but suspect actual temperature higher.

Held for 5 hours and started ramp down at -2A/min

Thursday, February 04, 2021, 9:35

IGP1= 2.99e-7 Torr

Begin pumpdown procedure and remove container

Note:  SiC evaporation on most discs.  The temperature was too high.  Need to repeat.

Monday, June 17, 2013, 16:57

Target is loaded with 510 SiC discs

Container was previously coated with TaC and sintered

SiC is wrapped with tantalum heat shield

Chamber is currently being pumped down

Laura Lambert wrote:

Monday, June 17, 2013, 16:57 Target is loaded with 510 SiC discs Container was previously coated with TaC and sintered SiC is wrapped with tantalum heat shield Chamber is currently being pumped down

 Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 16:16

HS water valves opened; no leaks were detected.

IG @ 8.9e-7 Torr.

Note: This target has a regular end cap inserted on one end, and the other with a D-cap. 

TGHT will be heated up to 820A and TBHT to 300A; ramping rate at 1A/min.

Stepped up TGHT/TBHT to 60A.  Vacuum slowly increasing... 

 Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 17:55

Stepped up TGHT/TBTH to 80A.  10 mins later, pressure went beyond the limit and tripped of the p/s.  F!

Allowed vacuum to come down below 8e-5 Torr.  Stepped down TGHT/TBHT to 50A.

Currently IG @ 4.8-5 Torr. 

Initiated auto-ramping:  setting: Good Vac = 3e-5 Torr, Bad Vac = 4.0e-5 Torr. 

 Thursday, June 20, 2013, 06:21

About 10 min ago, Evap tripped off due to high vacuum. 

Vacuum came back down below the trip limit and both TGHT/TBHT p/s were stepped down to 40A and turned back on.

Changed auto ramping rate to 05A/120min.  

The process continues...  (And I'm going back to sleep!) 

 Friday, June 21, 2013, 15:19

Vacuum is close to the trip limit. 

Change the ramping rate to 0.2A/120min. 

 Monday, June 24, 2013, 17:04

Organic burnt out is complete and vacuum has come down to ~9.0e-6 Torr.

Increase ramping rate to 0.2A/60min - The sintering process should take about another 2 days if everything goes smoothly. 

 Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 17:29

TGHT & TBHT have reached to 820A and 300A, respectively, for 4 hours.

Vacuum is at 9e-7 Torr. 

Cooling down is in progress, at a rate of 1.0A/min for TGHT and 0.5A/min for TBHT.

The target will be ready to come out by tomorrow.

 Thursday, June 27, 2013, 11:02

TGHT/TBHT reached to 0A.  Vacuum is leveled at 1.2e-7 Torr. 

Chamber will be vented in air soon.

 Thursday, March 29, 2012, 19:17

Target boat contains 3 BeO pellets :

Sample,   Thickness (mm),   Mass (g),  Density (g/cm3)

1    9.06,  1.9713,  1.413

2    9.11,  1.9900,  1.419

3  13.54,  1.9916,  0.956

Samples 1 and 2 are made of BeO powder with 30% PVB which was washed with excess acetone and let to dry on a greased baking sheet (with PAM Butter flavoured). The flakes were then milled for 26 minutes at 400 RPM. It resulted in a very fine grey powder, much denser than the BeO powder with 30% PVB (not washed with acetone) that was used for Sample 3.

The initial settings on Evaporator #2 were 100 A and 0.83 V until the vacuum increased.

Evaporator #2 is now auto-ramping overnight at 1 A/min, up to 700 A, with the maximum voltage limited at 14 V, between 5.00e-05 (Good vacuum) and 6.00e-05 Torr (Bad vacuum).

Nikita Bernier wrote:

Thursday, March 29, 2012, 19:17   Target boat contains 3 BeO pellets : Sample,   Thickness (mm),   Mass (g),  Density (g/cm3) 1    9.06,  1.9713,  1.413 2    9.11,  1.9900,  1.416 3  13.54,  1.9916,  0.956   Samples 1 and 2 are made of BeO powder with 30% PVB which was washed with excess acetone and let to dry on a greased baking sheet (with PAM Butter flavoured). The flakes were then milled for 26 minutes at 400 RPM. It resulted in a very fine grey powder, much denser than the BeO powder with 30% PVB (not washed with acetone) that was used for Sample 3. The initial settings on Evaporator #2 were 100 A and 0.83 V until the vacuum increased. Evaporator #2 is now auto-ramping overnight at 1 A/min, up to 700 A, with the maximum voltage limited at 14 V, between 5.00e-05 (Good vacuum) and 6.00e-05 Torr (Bad vacuum).

 Thursday, March 29, 2012, 22:31:

TGHT tripped off a few times over the past hours.  After changing the Good Vac to 2.00e-5 torr and Bad Vac to 3.00e-5 Torr, the target heater are regulating properly and the max pressure is well maintained below 6.5e-5 Torr [Trip point @ 8.0e-5 Torr].  (see attachment#1: parameter.jpg)

John Wong wrote:

Nikita Bernier wrote:  Thursday, March 29, 2012, 19:17   Target boat contains 3 BeO pellets : Sample,   Thickness (mm),   Mass (g),  Density (g/cm3) 1    9.06,  1.9713,  1.413 2    9.11,  1.9900,  1.416 3  13.54,  1.9916,  0.956   Samples 1 and 2 are made of BeO powder with 30% PVB which was washed with excess acetone and let to dry on a greased baking sheet (with PAM Butter flavoured). The flakes were then milled for 26 minutes at 400 RPM. It resulted in a very fine grey powder, much denser than the BeO powder with 30% PVB (not washed with acetone) that was used for Sample 3. The initial settings on Evaporator #2 were 100 A and 0.83 V until the vacuum increased. Evaporator #2 is now auto-ramping overnight at 1 A/min, up to 700 A, with the maximum voltage limited at 14 V, between 5.00e-05 (Good vacuum) and 6.00e-05 Torr (Bad vacuum).        Thursday, March 29, 2012, 22:31: TGHT tripped off a few times over the past hours.  After changing the Good Vac to 2.00e-5 torr and Bad Vac to 3.00e-5 Torr, the target heater are regulating properly and the max pressure is well maintained below 6.5e-5 Torr [Trip point @ 8.0e-5 Torr].  (see attachment#1: parameter.jpg)

Friday, March 30, 2012, 23:19  

Archive of the target current and vacuum over the past 24 hours.  (see attachment #1: archive_24hr)

Saturday, March 31, 2012, 12:12

The organic materials have been burnt off.  The target heater ramping up is no longer restricted by the vacuum limit. 

Archive of the target current and vacuum over the past 10 hours. (see attachment #2: TGHT@240A). 

 Saturday, March 31, 2012, 22:52

TGHT has stayed at 700A/12.37V, local @ 693A/12.43 = Temp @ 1780C.  

The striptool shows some out-gassing when TGHT reached to 700A. (see attachment #3 marked with black circle: TGHT@700A.jpg)

Increasing TGHT to 750A to see if there is any further reaction...  

Sunday, April 01, 2012, 10:24  

TGHT was ramped up to 750A, local 730A/13.90V.  The pressure has come down to low 10e-6 but not stable;  Some reaction may be ongoing therefore it's causing the vacuum excursion.  (See attachment #4: TGHT @ 750A).  Notice the current readback is not constant and it's slowly decreasing as the voltage readback is increasing.  There might be some resistant building up.

--> Initiating the cool-down process at 2A/min. 

Sunday, April 01, 2012, 19:30  

TGHT has ramped down to 0A, and the pressure is going down (currently at 7.e-8 Torr) with no excursion.  (see attachment #5: TGHT@0A). 

The chamber will be vented tomorrow, and the target materials will be inspected. 

John Wong wrote:

John Wong wrote: Nikita Bernier wrote:  Thursday, March 29, 2012, 19:17   Target boat contains 3 BeO pellets : Sample,   Thickness (mm),   Mass (g),  Density (g/cm3) 1    9.06,  1.9713,  1.413 2    9.11,  1.9900,  1.416 3  13.54,  1.9916,  0.956   Samples 1 and 2 are made of BeO powder with 30% PVB which was washed with excess acetone and let to dry on a greased baking sheet (with PAM Butter flavoured). The flakes were then milled for 26 minutes at 400 RPM. It resulted in a very fine grey powder, much denser than the BeO powder with 30% PVB (not washed with acetone) that was used for Sample 3. The initial settings on Evaporator #2 were 100 A and 0.83 V until the vacuum increased. Evaporator #2 is now auto-ramping overnight at 1 A/min, up to 700 A, with the maximum voltage limited at 14 V, between 5.00e-05 (Good vacuum) and 6.00e-05 Torr (Bad vacuum).        Thursday, March 29, 2012, 22:31: TGHT tripped off a few times over the past hours.  After changing the Good Vac to 2.00e-5 torr and Bad Vac to 3.00e-5 Torr, the target heater are regulating properly and the max pressure is well maintained below 6.5e-5 Torr [Trip point @ 8.0e-5 Torr].  (see attachment#1: parameter.jpg) Friday, March 30, 2012, 23:19   Archive of the target current and vacuum over the past 24 hours.  (see attachment #1: archive_24hr) Saturday, March 31, 2012, 12:12 The organic materials have been burnt off.  The target heater ramping up is no longer restricted by the vacuum limit.  Archive of the target current and vacuum over the past 10 hours. (see attachment #2: TGHT@240A).   Saturday, March 31, 2012, 22:52 TGHT has stayed at 700A/12.37V, local @ 693A/12.43 = Temp @ 1780C.   The striptool shows some out-gassing when TGHT reached to 700A. (see attachment #3 marked with black circle: TGHT@700A.jpg) Increasing TGHT to 750A to see if there is any further reaction...   Sunday, April 01, 2012, 10:24   TGHT was ramped up to 750A, local 730A/13.90V.  The pressure has come down to low 10e-6 but not stable;  Some reaction may be ongoing therefore it's causing the vacuum excursion.  (See attachment #4: TGHT @ 750A).  Notice the current readback is not constant and it's slowly decreasing as the voltage readback is increasing.  There might be some resistant building up. --> Initiating the cool-down process at 2A/min.  Sunday, April 01, 2012, 19:30   TGHT has ramped down to 0A, and the pressure is going down (currently at 7.e-8 Torr) with no excursion.  (see attachment #5: TGHT@0A).  The chamber will be vented tomorrow, and the target materials will be inspected.

 Monday, April 02, 2012, 16:11

After sintering , the 3 BeO pellets have shrunk and feel robust.

The first sample ate through the Ta target boat, shrank a lot and has white and black marks. We suspect the PAM (mostly made of canola oil) to be responsible for the boat damage and the weird sintering process (see John's posts).

Sample 2 is holding well.

Sample 3, which was not washed with acetone, shows some cracks.

Sample,   Thickness (mm),   Mass (g),  Density (g/cm3)

1    -----,  0.6254,  -----

2   5.81,  0.9229,  1.032

3   8.89,  1.1073,  0.809

The average mass before sintering was 1.9843 g. After sintering, 0.8852 g. Thus the average mass loss is 0.9757  (49.0%).

We are starting a new batch of treated powder washed with acetone without PAM.

 Friday, May 01, 2015, 10:27

Four different samples of ZrC are loaded into a target boat.

Sample A: ZrC + NO graphite / hand cut

Sample B: ZrC + NO graphite / laser cut

Sample C: ZrC + graphite / hand cut

Sample D: ZrC + graphite / laser cut

A picture showing the different samples is attached [one face-up/ one face-down sample of each side-by-side]

Each sample consists of ~20-25 discs, stacked together and wrapped in graphite sheet [see attachment for photo]

The target boat is wrapped with 3 x Ta heat shield.

EVAP1 pumped down overnight.

HS water valves were opened this morning, no leaks detected.

IGP1 = 5.5e-7 Torr.

Tapping up TGHT manually to 30A...

 Friday, May 01, 2015, 10:54

Tapped up manually to 30A.

Over the course of 20min the vacuum climbed to IGP1 = 1.0 e-5 Torr.

Backed off TGHT to 20A to allow vacuum to stabilize.

Waited ~10min.

Vacuum dropped to IGP1 = 6.5e-6 Torr.

Tapped back-up manually to 30A.

Waited ~45min.

Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 1.2e-5 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp at 0.1A/min for the TGHT with a max setpoint of 300A / 5.00V.

Good Vacuum = 3.00e-5 Torr. Bad vacuum = 4.00e-5 Torr.

 Monday, May 04, 2015, 11:17

IGP1 = 2e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 274A, 4.75V

Ramp-up limited to 275A due to max voltage being set at 5.0V

Increased max voltage to 10V

Tapping up manually to 1800C and recording data.

Laura Lambert wrote:

Friday, May 01, 2015, 10:27 Four different samples of ZrC are loaded into a target boat. Sample A: ZrC + NO graphite / hand cut Sample B: ZrC + NO graphite / laser cut Sample C: ZrC + graphite / hand cut Sample D: ZrC + graphite / laser cut A picture showing the different samples is attached [one face-up/ one face-down sample of each side-by-side] Each sample consists of ~20-25 discs, stacked together and wrapped in graphite sheet [see attachment for photo] The target boat is wrapped with 3 x Ta heat shield. EVAP1 pumped down overnight. HS water valves were opened this morning, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 5.5e-7 Torr. Tapping up TGHT manually to 30A...  Friday, May 01, 2015, 10:54 Tapped up manually to 30A. Over the course of 20min the vacuum climbed to IGP1 = 1.0 e-5 Torr. Backed off TGHT to 20A to allow vacuum to stabilize. Waited ~10min. Vacuum dropped to IGP1 = 6.5e-6 Torr. Tapped back-up manually to 30A. Waited ~45min. Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 1.2e-5 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.1A/min for the TGHT with a max setpoint of 300A / 5.00V. Good Vacuum = 3.00e-5 Torr. Bad vacuum = 4.00e-5 Torr.  Monday, May 04, 2015, 11:17 IGP1 = 2e-7 Torr. TGHT = 274A, 4.75V Ramp-up limited to 275A due to max voltage being set at 5.0V Increased max voltage to 10V Tapping up manually to 1800C and recording data.

 Monday, May 04, 2015, 17:24

Samples have been heated at 1800C for >2 hours. 

Vaccum at 4.3e-7 Torr, TGHT 475A/9.1V. (Direct Vol = 5.3V).

Initiated cooling down process.  Chamber will be vented tomorrow.

 Tuesday, May 05, 2015, 10:22

TGHT reached to 0A. Chamber has already vented. 

Samples will be taken out for examination.

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Friday, May 01, 2015, 10:27 Four different samples of ZrC are loaded into a target boat. Sample A: ZrC + NO graphite / hand cut Sample B: ZrC + NO graphite / laser cut Sample C: ZrC + graphite / hand cut Sample D: ZrC + graphite / laser cut A picture showing the different samples is attached [one face-up/ one face-down sample of each side-by-side] Each sample consists of ~20-25 discs, stacked together and wrapped in graphite sheet [see attachment for photo] The target boat is wrapped with 3 x Ta heat shield. EVAP1 pumped down overnight. HS water valves were opened this morning, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 5.5e-7 Torr. Tapping up TGHT manually to 30A...  Friday, May 01, 2015, 10:54 Tapped up manually to 30A. Over the course of 20min the vacuum climbed to IGP1 = 1.0 e-5 Torr. Backed off TGHT to 20A to allow vacuum to stabilize. Waited ~10min. Vacuum dropped to IGP1 = 6.5e-6 Torr. Tapped back-up manually to 30A. Waited ~45min. Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 1.2e-5 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.1A/min for the TGHT with a max setpoint of 300A / 5.00V. Good Vacuum = 3.00e-5 Torr. Bad vacuum = 4.00e-5 Torr.  Monday, May 04, 2015, 11:17 IGP1 = 2e-7 Torr. TGHT = 274A, 4.75V Ramp-up limited to 275A due to max voltage being set at 5.0V Increased max voltage to 10V Tapping up manually to 1800C and recording data.    Monday, May 04, 2015, 17:24 Samples have been heated at 1800C for >2 hours.  Vaccum at 4.3e-7 Torr, TGHT 475A/9.1V. (Direct Vol = 5.3V). Initiated cooling down process.  Chamber will be vented tomorrow.  Tuesday, May 05, 2015, 10:22 TGHT reached to 0A. Chamber has already vented.  Samples will be taken out for examination.

 Friday, May 08, 2015, 15:55

see attachment for data results.

Thursday, September 26, 2013, 13:04

The LP-IG-LIS target container is coated with TaC. 

Container is wrapped with 3 layers of Ta heat shield and about to go through the sintering process.

A thermocouple is inserted to measure the temperature inside the tube (1st attempt ever). 

Click on the link for detailed pictures:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6dc5arajg87mws9/6cU5OxjkZg

TGHT will be ramped up to 580A at 0.2A/min

TBHT will be ramped up to 230A at 0.2A/min.

Chamber has been pumped down.  HS cooling H2O valves are opened, and no leaks are detected. 

Currently IGP1 @ 5.9e-6 Torr.

 Thursday, September 26, 2013, 15:44

TGHT stepped up to 30A.  TBHT currently @ 0A. 

Temp @ 35C, Vac @ 1.4e-5 Torr.

 Monday, September 30, 2013, 14:54

The container was heated up to 580A TGHT/ 230A TBHT for a day (see attachment #1 for vac vs cur plot).

The temperature was measure at ~1780C. (see link for details: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d8d9j2t60qlm3jk/nkMh7dx_R8 )

The target was cooled down and vented. 

Proceed complete.

Monday, July 22, 2013, 15:00

Target container is coated with TaC - this container will be used for UCx#7.

Container is wrapped with 3 layers of Ta, including the back-block.

For the sintering process:

TGHT will be ramped up to 580A at 0.2A/min

TBHT will be ramped up to 230A at 0.2A/min.

Chamber has been pumped down.  HS cooling H2O valves are opened, and no leaks are detected. 

Currently IGP1 @ 7.03e-6 Torr. 

 Monday, July 22, 2013, 15:19

TGHT/TBHT was stepped up to 20A.  Pressure increased to ~1.2e-5 Torr.

Auto-ramping initiated...

 Wednesday, July 24, 2013, 18:40

TGHT and TBHT have reached to 580A/230A, respectively.  Target has been heated for ~4 hours at that max current.

Vacuum currently at 1.65e-6 Torr.

Auto-cooling initiated... (TGHT @ -1A/min, TBHT -0.5A/min)

Target will be vented in air tomorrow.

 Thursday, June 25, 2015, 16:14

Total number of foils: 422 discs

Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]: 

Total length packed: 12.0cm

Container has one Ta heat shield.

No endcaps inserted to allow outgassing

Two TaC coated Ta wires formed into a spring inserted either end to avoid ZrC expansion of materials.

Currently being pumped down.

 Friday, June 26, 2015, 11:44

HS water valves opened.

No leaks detected.

Initiating ramp up.

 Friday, June 26, 2015, 14:44

EVAP2 was tapped up manually to 50A.

Vacuum tripped evap off.

Tapping back up manually now...

 Friday, June 26, 2015, 15:53

Tapped up manually to 45A for both TGHT and TBHT

IGP1 = 4.8e-5 Torr

Will initiate auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively once vacuum settled down and stable.

Max setpoints set to 520A and 230A for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Good Vacuum = 3.0e-5 Torr. Bad Vacuum = 4.0e-5 Torr.

Laura Lambert wrote:

Thursday, June 25, 2015, 16:14 Total number of foils: 422 discs Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]:  Total length packed: 13.2cm Container has one Ta heat shield. No endcaps inserted to allow outgassing Two TaC coated Ta wires formed into a spring inserted either end to avoid ZrC expansion of materials. Currently being pumped down.  Friday, June 26, 2015, 11:44 HS water valves opened. No leaks detected. Initiating ramp up.  Friday, June 26, 2015, 14:44 EVAP2 was tapped up manually to 50A. Vacuum tripped evap off. Tapping back up manually now...  Friday, June 26, 2015, 15:53 Tapped up manually to 45A for both TGHT and TBHT IGP1 = 4.8e-5 Torr Will initiate auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively once vacuum settled down and stable. Max setpoints set to 520A and 230A for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Good Vacuum = 3.0e-5 Torr. Bad Vacuum = 4.0e-5 Torr.

 Monday, June 29, 2015, 06:57

TGHT has been at 520A/9.80V, DV 5.80V for 7 hours, temperature measured at 1800C.  Vac is coming down to 9.18e-6 Torr.  However, TGHT voltage is slightly going up over the 7 hours of heating, See screenshot attachment. (Can't make further comments until target is inspected.)

Initiated cooling down at 2A/min for TGHT and 1A/min for TBHT.

Chamber can be vented later today.

 Monday, June 29, 2015, 14:58

Target has been inspected.

Slightly crystallization on the outer tube of the container can be observed. 

Overall, the container looks a lot better than before. 

Rn foiled inserted. Salt added - Ready for test-stand

 Monday, July 28, 2014, 14:41

Total number of foils: 445 discs

Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]: 49.027 g

Total length packed: 11.2 cm

Container has no Ta heat shields.

Currently being pumped down.

Laura Lambert wrote:

Monday, July 28, 2014, 14:41 Total number of foils: 445 discs Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]: 49.027 g Total length packed: 11.2 cm Container has no Ta heat shields. Currently being pumped down.

 Tuesday, July 29, 2014, 11:19

Chamber was pumped down overnight to ~5.5e-7 torr.

HS water valve opened; no leaks were detected.

Stepped up TGHT/TBHT to 40A. IG went up 8e-6 Torr and stabilized. 

Initiated auto-ramping TGHT @ 580A, TBHt @ 230A at 0.2A/min

Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 15:33

ZrC backup Target 12.6 cm disc length, 465 g total weight (no springs and no analysis discs).

Total weight= 470 g.

20 Analysis discs weighing 2.368 g (10 at each end).

Two springs (one at each end).

OMEGA slope initially = 0.990  (was changed to 1.09 at higher Temperature as per eLog #434

Target is being pumped down.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 09:31

Desired temp = 1900 C, Auto ramping TGHT at  0.1 A/min to reach 400A then  TGHT will be tapped up accordingly to reach desired temperature. (eLog 434)

TBHT will be set fixed at 230A (max). TBHT at 0.1 A/min to reach 230A.

Note: Initially both TGHT and TBHT will be ramped up at 0.3A/min up to 30A each.

IGP1= 1.35e-06 Torr

Good vac at 3.00-5 Torr

Bad vac at 5.0e-5 Torr.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 12:02

At 30A pressure was increasing a bit fast, therefore, the ramp was changed to increments of .1A every 120s (.05A/min). 

Thursday, August 01, 2019, 08:42

TGHT = 54.7

TBHT = 54.3

IGP1 = 3.86e-5 Torr

Will changer heat ramp to .1A/min by changing wait interval to 60s

Tuesday, August 06, 2019, 07:14

OMEGA = 1212 C

TGHT = 344.7 A, 5.79 V

TBHT = 233 A, 4.17 V

IGP1 = 1.05 e-06 Torr

Autoramping to 400A at increments of 0.1A/min

Tuesday, August 06, 2019, 09:50

OMEGA = 1233 C

TGHT = 360 A, 6.05 V

TBHT = 233 A, 4.18 V

IGP1 = 1.21 e-06 Torr

increasing autoramp increments to .5A/min

Tuesday, August 06, 2019, 12:27

OMEGA = 1356 C

TGHT = 400.6 A, 6.92 V

TBHT = 233.8 A, 4.20 V

IGP1 = 1.95 e-06 Torr

Autoramping to 430 A on TGHT at 0.5 A/min

Tuesday, August 06, 2019, 14:02

OMEGA = 1447 C

TGHT= 430.9 A, 7.66V

TBHT = 233.2A, 4.2 V

IGP1= 2.01e-06 Torr

Autoramping to 440 A on TGHT at 0.5 A/min

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 09:10

OMEGA = 1548

TGHT = 441.56 A, 8.2 V

TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.2 V

IGP1 = 6.21e-07 Torr

Manually ramping up to 1900C @ 1A/min

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 09:43

Changed OMEGA slope to 1.09 as per eLog #434

OMEGA reads 1773 C @ TGHT 451A, 8.4V

IGP1 = 7.02 e-07

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 10:56

OMEGA = 1903 C

TGHT = 483.5 A, 9.2V

TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V

IGP1 = 1.7 e-06 Torr trending down

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 11:40

OMEGA = 1914 C

TGHT = 483.5 A, 9.3V

TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V

IGP1 = 1.5 e-06 Torr trending down

Decrease TGHT current to 480.4 A

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 13:04

OMEGA = 1918 C

TGHT = 480.3 A, 9.4V

TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V

IGP1 = 1.28e-06 Torr

Decrease TGHT current to 474.5 A

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 13:26

OMEGA = 1904 C

TGHT = 474.8 A, 9.3V

TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V

IGP1 = 1.11e-06 Torr

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 13:47

OMEGA = 1912 C

TGHT = 474.8 A, 9.3V

TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V

IGP1 = 1.10e-06 Torr

Decrease TGHT to 471.8 A

OMEGA temperature went down to 1904 C

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 14:26

OMEGA = 1911 C

TGHT = 471.8 A, 9.3V

TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V

IGP1 = 1.00e-06 Torr

Decrease TGHT to 469.0 A

OMEGA temperature down to 1904C

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 15:45

OMEGA = 1912 C

TGHT = 468.8.8 A, 9.2V

TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V

IGP1 = 9.2e-07 Torr

Decrease TGHT to 466.0 A

OMEGA temperature down to 1903C

Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 22:09

OMEGA = 1924 C

TGHT = 466.8. A, 9.3V

TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V

IGP1 = 7.6e-07 Torr

Cooling at 2A/min TGHT to 456.0 A, 9.0 V and 1A/min TBHT to 230.1 A, 4.2 V

OMEGA = 1900 C

Will allow Pressure to stabilize

 Thursday, August 08, 2019, 06:54

OMEGA = 1919 C

TGHT = 456.9 A, 9.1V

TBHT = 230.3 A, 4.2 V

IGP1 =5.7e-07 Torr

Cooling at 2A/min TGHT and 1A/min TBHT

Thursday, August 08, 2019, 13:30

Target removed from Evap2.  Awaiting inspection by John.

Darwin Ortiz Rosales wrote:

Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 15:33 ZrC backup Target 12.6 cm disc length, 465 g total weight (no springs and no analysis discs). Total weight= 470 g. 20 Analysis discs weighing 2.368 g (10 at each end). Two springs (one at each end). OMEGA slope initially = 0.990  (was changed to 1.09 at higher Temperature as per eLog #434 Target is being pumped down. Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 09:31 Desired temp = 1900 C, Auto ramping TGHT at  0.1 A/min to reach 400A then  TGHT will be tapped up accordingly to reach desired temperature. (eLog 434) TBHT will be set fixed at 230A (max). TBHT at 0.1 A/min to reach 230A. Note: Initially both TGHT and TBHT will be ramped up at 0.3A/min up to 30A each. IGP1= 1.35e-06 Torr Good vac at 3.00-5 Torr Bad vac at 5.0e-5 Torr. Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 12:02 At 30A pressure was increasing a bit fast, therefore, the ramp was changed to increments of .1A every 120s (.05A/min).  Thursday, August 01, 2019, 08:42 TGHT = 54.7 TBHT = 54.3 IGP1 = 3.86e-5 Torr Will changer heat ramp to .1A/min by changing wait interval to 60s Tuesday, August 06, 2019, 07:14 OMEGA = 1212 C TGHT = 344.7 A, 5.79 V TBHT = 233 A, 4.17 V IGP1 = 1.05 e-06 Torr Autoramping to 400A at increments of 0.1A/min Tuesday, August 06, 2019, 09:50 OMEGA = 1233 C TGHT = 360 A, 6.05 V TBHT = 233 A, 4.18 V IGP1 = 1.21 e-06 Torr increasing autoramp increments to .5A/min Tuesday, August 06, 2019, 12:27 OMEGA = 1356 C TGHT = 400.6 A, 6.92 V TBHT = 233.8 A, 4.20 V IGP1 = 1.95 e-06 Torr Autoramping to 430 A on TGHT at 0.5 A/min Tuesday, August 06, 2019, 14:02 OMEGA = 1447 C TGHT= 430.9 A, 7.66V TBHT = 233.2A, 4.2 V IGP1= 2.01e-06 Torr Autoramping to 440 A on TGHT at 0.5 A/min Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 09:10 OMEGA = 1548 TGHT = 441.56 A, 8.2 V TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.2 V IGP1 = 6.21e-07 Torr Manually ramping up to 1900C @ 1A/min Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 09:43 Changed OMEGA slope to 1.09 as per eLog #434 OMEGA reads 1773 C @ TGHT 451A, 8.4V IGP1 = 7.02 e-07 Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 10:56 OMEGA = 1903 C TGHT = 483.5 A, 9.2V TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V IGP1 = 1.7 e-06 Torr trending down Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 11:40 OMEGA = 1914 C TGHT = 483.5 A, 9.3V TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V IGP1 = 1.5 e-06 Torr trending down Decrease TGHT current to 480.4 A Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 13:04 OMEGA = 1918 C TGHT = 480.3 A, 9.4V TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V IGP1 = 1.28e-06 Torr Decrease TGHT current to 474.5 A Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 13:26 OMEGA = 1904 C TGHT = 474.8 A, 9.3V TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V IGP1 = 1.11e-06 Torr Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 13:47 OMEGA = 1912 C TGHT = 474.8 A, 9.3V TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V IGP1 = 1.10e-06 Torr Decrease TGHT to 471.8 A OMEGA temperature went down to 1904 C Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 14:26 OMEGA = 1911 C TGHT = 471.8 A, 9.3V TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V IGP1 = 1.00e-06 Torr Decrease TGHT to 469.0 A OMEGA temperature down to 1904C Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 15:45 OMEGA = 1912 C TGHT = 468.8.8 A, 9.2V TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V IGP1 = 9.2e-07 Torr Decrease TGHT to 466.0 A OMEGA temperature down to 1903C   Wednesday, August 07, 2019, 22:09 OMEGA = 1924 C TGHT = 466.8. A, 9.3V TBHT = 233.3 A, 4.3V IGP1 = 7.6e-07 Torr Cooling at 2A/min TGHT to 456.0 A, 9.0 V and 1A/min TBHT to 230.1 A, 4.2 V OMEGA = 1900 C Will allow Pressure to stabilize    Thursday, August 08, 2019, 06:54 OMEGA = 1919 C TGHT = 456.9 A, 9.1V TBHT = 230.3 A, 4.2 V IGP1 =5.7e-07 Torr Cooling at 2A/min TGHT and 1A/min TBHT Thursday, August 08, 2019, 13:30 Target removed from Evap2.  Awaiting inspection by John.

 Monday, August 12, 2019, 15:45

Visual inspection on the target was performed today.  See attachment for details.

Target container is slightly bent, and some visible crystallization on the container surface.  

The discs are nicely packed with only a slight expansion in length was measured.

No clogging inside the container nor the ionizer tube. 

Some sintered discs samples were collected and SEM will be perform later. 

Monday, March 18, 2019, 15:51

Total number of foils: 555

Total mass of material including graphite foils: 478 grams

Total length packed 14.2 cm

container has 3 Ta heat shields.

No endcaps inserted to facilitate outgassing

Two TaC coated Ta wire springs inserted at either end to allow for ZrC expansion.

5 extra foils tucked beneath each spring for QC; total mass (10 discs) =1.0160 g

Desired temp = 1900 C, Auto ramping TGHT at  0.1 A/min to reach 280A A (Omega slope set = 0.990, approx 1400 C, Elog#427),  TGHT will be tapped up accordingly to reach desired temperature. 

TBHT will be set fixed at 230A (max). TBHT at 0.1 A/min to reach 230A.

Good vac at 3.00-5 Torr

Bad vac at 5.0e-5 Torr.

Currently being pumped down.

 Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 08:57

Current pressure IGP1 = 5.24e-07 Torr

Manually tapping to 40A on TBHT and TGHT

At 20 A IGP1 pressure trending up.  Will leave at 20A until trending down.

Pressure @ 20 A set, peaked ~1.8e-06 Torr after 1 hour

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 10:32

Tapping manually to 50 A on TBHT and TGHT while monitoring IGP1 pressure

Tapped to 25 A and IGP1 pressure trending up.  Will allow to stabilize.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 11:34

Pressure stabilized at ~3.25e-06 Torr

Tapped up to 30 A on both TGHT and TBHT

Pressure stabilized at ~6.6e-06

Tapped up to 34A on both TGHT and TBHT

Pressure stabilized at ~1.2e-05 Will allow to drop before proceeding

 Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 13:43

Tapped up to 40A waiting for pressure to stabilize

Pressure shot up ~8.5e-05, therefore tapped down TGHT to 35A (At 35A TGHT current value fluctuates, probably better to ramp up to 36A)

Will let pressure drop before proceeding with TGHT heating

Ramped TGHT to 36A, IGP1 pressure still trending down and current measurements stable.

 Starting autoramp at 0.3A/min for both TGHT and TBHT until 280A and 230A respectively

Initial TGHT Current: 33.6A, 0.05V

Initial TBHT Current: 38.6A, 0.48V

IGP1 = 4.9e-05 Torr

Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 09:41

 TGHT has only ramped to 45.7 A, 0.085V

TBHT has only ramped to 50.2A, 0.62V

IGPI pressure ~4.0 e-5 Torr

Stopping ramp and monitoring pressure to see if it drops appropriate levels.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 14:10  

IGP1 pressure = 7.6e-06 Torr

TGHT 47.7Z, 0.16V

TBHT 50.1A, 0.63V

Autoramp at 0.1A/min both TGHT and TBHT to 280A and 230A respectively.

 Thursday, March 21, 2019, 08:12

IGP1 = 3.1e-05 Torr

TGHT = 51.4 A, 0.18V

TBHT=61.9A, 0.87V

Stopped autoramp

Manually ramping TGHT and TBHT while monitoring pressure

 Rampted up TGHT to 54A (reading 65 A), 0.5V and TBHT to 68A, 0.9V

Allowing pressure to stabilize

Manually tapped TGHT to 80A, .81V

Manually tapped TBHT to 90A, 1.3V

IGP1 = .0002 Torr

Will leave over night to allow pressure to drop

Friday, March 22, 2019, 08:17

IGP1 = 6.6e-06

TGHT = 88.8A, 0.81V

TBHT = 90.1A, 1.3V

Will manually tap ~100A on both TBHT and TGHT

Friday, March 22, 2019, 12:18

IGP1 = 1.28e-05 Torr

TGHT = 100.9A, 1.0V

TBHT = 101.2A, 1.5V

will allow pressure to drop slightly the autoramp at 0.1A/min for both TGHT and TBHT until 280A and 230A respectively

Friday, March 22, 2019, 14:51

IGP1= 7.4 e-06 Torr

TGHT = 100.8A, 1.0V

TBHT= 101.5A, 1.5V

Started autoramp at 0.1A/min for both TGHT and TBHT until 280A and 230A respectively

Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 08:18

IGP1 oscillated around ramping trip point 3.0e-05 while current slowly ramped to 280A (reached sometime during the night).

IGP1= 7.8e-06 Torr

TGHT= 283.4A, 4.2V

TBHT= 233.1A, 4.1V

Will continue ramp TGHT @0.2A/min up to 400A  (Omega slope set = 0.990, approx 1800 C, Elog#427)

Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 09:39

Target has been at 400A, OMEGA ~1400C since ~7pm of previous evening

TGHT = 400.2A, 6.45V

TBHT= 233.1A, 4.16V

IGP1= 3.1e-07 Torr

Autoramp TGHT to440A @0.2A/min

 Stopped autoramp at TGHT = 427.4 A and 7.00V, OMEGA= 1492 C

Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 14:14

Restarted TGHT autoramp @.2A/min up to 440A

Friday, March 29, 2019, 12:06

Changed OMEGA slope to 1.09 after checking with the analog pyrometer

IGP1 = 1.65e-07 Torr

TGHT = 441.3A, 7.5V

TBHT= 233.0A, 4.2V

Tapping TGHT to 450A @ ~1A/min while monitoring pressure

TGHT remained at 451A, 7.8 V  and  TBHT at 233.2A, 4.2 V,  for 10.5 hours while OMEGA Temperature ~1810 C.

Ramp-down was initiated with IGP1 = 1.7e-07 Torr

Ramp rate = 2A/min for TGHT and 1/min for TBHT

 Monday, April 01, 2019, 08:53

TGHT = 0A, 0.05V

TBHT= 0.01A, 0V

IGP1= 4.05e-08 Torr

Unloading Target

Target Final weight = 473 g

% Mass of ZrC+C+organics lost = 14.20 % compared to 13.95% theoretical organics content.

Final weight of 10 discs = 0.9250 g

% mass lost on this discs = 13.66%

The tube was slightly bent along the short axis

The discs expanded but more towards one side (possibly due to discrepancy in spring strength).

 One protective graphite disc added to each end

One end cap on each end