Monday, March 06, 2023, 21:29

Total number of foils:382 ( including 5 analysis discs on the right side of the container)

Total length packed 17 cm (excluding 5 analysis discs that will be removed)

container has 4 Ta heat shields (one inner only around fins)

No endcaps inserted to facilitate out-gassing

Ta coated spring at  both ends

ramp to 500A @ 1A/min TGHT and to 230A on TBHT

max approx 700A on TGHT and 230A on TBHT (Omega slope set = 0.990)

Then temperature = 1800C

TBHT will be set fixed at 230 A (max).  TBHT heated manually and automatically to max.

Good vac at 5.00 e -4 Torr

Bad vac at 5.00 e-2 Torr

 IGP1= 3e-06 Torr at start of initial ramp.

Tuesday, March 07, 2023, 07:23

IGP1= 1.2e-05 Torr

OMEGA = 1288 C

Tuesday, March 07, 2023, 10:01

Will ramp to 715 A and keep there for 4 hours.  OMEGA readings not reliable beyond this point due to coating on EVAP2 window.

Tuesday, March 07, 2023, 11:10

TGHT = 715A, 11.0V

TBHT = 230A, 3.2V

OMEGA = 1750 C (but not reliable)

Maintaining for 4 hours then will ramp down @ -2A/min TGHT and -1A/min TBHT

Wednesday, March 08, 2023, 07:27

Final IGP1= 1.3e-07 Torr (before shutting down pumps)

Monday, March 13, 2023, 22:28

Total number of foils:380 ( including 5 analysis discs on the front side of the container)

Total length packed 17 cm (excluding 5 analysis discs that will be removed)

container has 4 Ta heat shields (one inner only around fins)

No endcaps inserted to facilitate out-gassing

Ta coated spring at  both ends

ramp to 500A @ 1A/min TGHT and to 230A on TBHT

max approx 700A on TGHT and 230A on TBHT (Omega slope set = 0.990)

Then temperature = 1800 C.  Will ramp to 1820 C

TBHT will be set fixed at 230 A (max).  TBHT heated manually and automatically to max.

Good vac at 5.00 e -4 Torr

Bad vac at 5.00 e-2 Torr

 IGP1= 2.8e-06 Torr at start of initial ramp.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 07:26  

Increased autoramp to 2A/min to 700 A on TGHT while keeping TBHT to 230A, 3.3V

Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 09:53

At 743A, 11.8V TGHT

OMEGA = 1780 C.  (not entirely reliable, will leave at this current for 4 hours)

Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 14:00

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

Final IGP1= 5.5e-06 Torr

OMEGA= 1750C

TBHT= 230A, 3.3V

Wednesday, December 06, 2023, 09:47

Target number of foils:370

Analysis discs 16 A and 16B interspersed on the end further from the laser

A are discs produced using new method and B are discs produced using milling.

Total length packed 16 cm (excluding the analysis discs)

container has 3 Ta heat shields (one inner around fins and center block, new type of 1st shield made up of three pieces)

No endcaps inserted to facilitate out-gassing

Ta coated spring at  front end

ramp to 120A @ 1A/min TGHT and to 120A on TBHT hold there until pressure drop, then ramp to 500A on TGHT and 230A TBHT.

max approx 700A on TGHT and 230A on TBHT (Omega slope set = 0.990)

Then temperature = 1800C

TBHT will be set fixed at 230 A (max).  TBHT heated manually and automatically to max.

Good vac at 5.00 e -4 Torr

Bad vac at 5.00 e-2 Torr

 IGP1= 1e-06 Torr at start of initial ramp.

Wednesday, December 06, 2023, 09:56

System left to drop pressure over previous night and now at 120A.  waiting for pressure drop.

Wednesday, December 06, 2023, 11:18

increased ramp rate to 2A/min

Wednesday, December 06, 2023, 14:41

increased ramp to 3A/min on TGHT and stopping to allow pressure to stabilize before taking temperature readings

Top temperature 1800C at 710 A but started dropping.  Increased current to 750A and left there for 4 hours.

Cool down at -2A/min TGHT and -1A/min TBHT

Thursday, December 14, 2023, 09:53

Target left pumping down in Evap2 overnight. 

Initial weight including protective jig = 1474.3 g

Total number of target foils:388 

 10 analysis discs: 5x 220727-2 labelled as A and 5x 231123-2 labelled as B on the right side (front) of container.  Order of discs ABABABABAB.

Total length packed 15.5 cm

container has 3 Ta heat shields including the inner made of three pieces as to cover the center block.

No endcaps inserted to facilitate out-gassing

Ta coated spring at  both ends

ramp to 500A @ 1A/min TGHT and to 230A on TBHT

max approx 700A on TGHT and 230A on TBHT (Omega slope set = 0.990)

Then temperature = 1800C

TBHT will be set fixed at 230 A (max).  TBHT heated manually and automatically to max.

Good vac at 5.00 e -4 Torr

Bad vac at 5.00 e-2 Torr

 IGP1= 9.3e-07 Torr at start of initial ramp.

Thursday, December 14, 2023, 09:56

Started initial ramp up 1A/min on both heaters

Thursday, December 14, 2023, 11:03

Pressure dropping.  Will increase ramp speed to 2A/min on both heaters (1A/30s)

Thursday, December 14, 2023, 11:17

pressure dropping.  Increase ramp to 4A/min (2A/30s)

Will stop and ramping for temperature measurements

Thursday, December 14, 2023, 13:28

Increased ramp to 5A/min (2.5A/30s)

 Will heat to 703A on TGHT and leave for 4 hours

Monday, May 27, 2024, 07:09

Small graphite cartridge was loaded with SiC discs 240523-1 and 240523-2.  Discs produced without milling using PAA as a dispersant.

The coated container tube was wrapped in four Ta foil heatshields.

two Tac Coated springs at the ends in case plugs are pushed outwards.

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1850-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp 2A/min to 90 A

Then at 2A/min to 120A.

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-02 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-04 Torr

 IGP1 initial 4.8e-07 Torr

Monday, May 27, 2024, 09:13

Pressure started coming down.  Heat at 2A/min to 120A.

Monday, May 27, 2024, 10:21

Started ramp 2A/30s  to 400A will monitor temperature

stopped at 490A and will hold for 4  hours. 

Monday, May 27, 2024, 12:41

temperature started creeping up past 1870C so decreased current to 461A

Current temperature is 1842 C at 461A, 7.6V

Monday, May 27, 2024, 12:55

dropped current to 441 because temperature climbed to 1899 C

Monday, May 27, 2024, 15:08

final pressure IGP1 =9.9 e-07 Torr

OMEGA= 1830 C at 410 A (reduced as needed)

Start rampdown at -2A/min

Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 10:07

Final pressure is 2.7e-7 Torr

Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 14:42

Experiment failed.  Too hot probably.  Bad temperature readings.  Will repeat after redesigning experiment.

Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 22:52

Small graphite cartridge was loaded with SiC discs 240523-1 and 240523-2 and 220727-2 (baseline discs).  Test Discs produced without milling using PAA as a dispersant.

The coated container tube was wrapped in four Ta foil heatshields.

two Tac Coated springs at the ends in case plugs are pushed outwards.

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1850-1900 C

OMEGA slope:= 0.990

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp 2A/min to 90 A

Then at 2A/min to 120A.

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-02 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-04 Torr

 IGP1 initial 4.8e-07 Torr

Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 22:54

Kept at 400 A for 4 hours. 

Starting autoramp down at -2A/min

Wednesday, June 05, 2024, 07:14

SiC discs loaded into tantalum tube.  New mixing (two types) and old mixing.

The coated container tube was wrapped in four Ta foil heatshields.

Tac Coated springs at the ends in case plugs are pushed outwards.

Target temperature on OMEGA= 1850-1900 C

OMEGA slope:=* 0.980*

Target time at max temperature = 4 hours

Final TGHT current= ~400A (adjustable)

Heating autoramp 1A/min to 90 A

Then at 2A/min to 120A.

Good vacuum = 5.0 e-02 Torr

Bad vacuum = 5.0E-04 Torr

 IGP1 initia1.3e-06Torr

Wednesday, June 05, 2024, 11:04

Continuing to ramp at 2A/min to 350A

Wednesday, June 05, 2024, 12:22

Leaving at 369 A for 4 hours (until 4 pm).  Temperature readings do not appear good.

Wednesday, June 05, 2024, 16:01

Start rampdown at -2A/min

IGP1=2.0 e-6 Torr

Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 17:23

New Target boat, with no coating, wrapped with a 0.002 inches thick Ta foil, contains 3 NiO pellets :

Sample,   # Disks,    Mass (g),    Thickness (mm)

1    12,  1.9396,  1.938

2    13,  0.9592,  0.847

3    25,  2.6675,  3.06

See John's Ipad for their recipes.

Evaporator #2 is now auto-ramping overnight at 0.5 A/min, up to 580 A, with the maximum voltage limited at 14 V, between 3.00e-05 (Good vacuum) and 4.00e-05 Torr (Bad vacuum).

Thursday, June 21, 2012, 18:14  

See attachment #1, 2 for the density measurements and the graph for the disc thickness  -JW 

Nikita Bernier wrote:

Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 17:23 New Target boat, with no coating, wrapped with a 0.002 inches thick Ta foil, contains NiO D-shape discs : Sample,   # Disks,    Mass (g),    Thickness (mm) 1    12,  1.9396,  1.938 2    13,  0.9592,  0.847 3    25,  2.6675,  3.06 See John's Ipad for their recipes. Evaporator #2 is now auto-ramping overnight at 0.5 A/min, up to 580 A, with the maximum voltage limited at 14 V, between 3.00e-05 (Good vacuum) and 4.00e-05 Torr (Bad vacuum).

Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 22:28

TGHT tripped off at 78A due to high out-gassing pressure.  The current was tapped down to 75A before it was turned back on. 

Changed ramping rate from 0.5A/min to 0.2A/min.  

Initiate auto-ramping... 

 Thursday, June 21, 2012, 08:35

Vacuum has come down to 7e-7 as TGHT is being ramped up at 0.2A/min. (see attachment#1).

Increase TGHT rate to 2A/min.

The temperature should be measured when the heater gets up to around 500A.

John Wong wrote:

Nikita Bernier wrote: Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 17:23 New Target boat, with no coating, wrapped with a 0.002 inches thick Ta foil, contains NiO D-shape discs : Sample,   # Disks,    Mass (g),    Thickness (mm) 1    12,  1.9396,  1.938 2    13,  0.9592,  0.847 3    25,  2.6675,  3.06 See John's Ipad for their recipes. Evaporator #2 is now auto-ramping overnight at 0.5 A/min, up to 580 A, with the maximum voltage limited at 14 V, between 3.00e-05 (Good vacuum) and 4.00e-05 Torr (Bad vacuum).   Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 22:28 TGHT tripped off at 78A due to high out-gassing pressure.  The current was tapped down to 75A before it was turned back on.  Changed ramping rate from 0.5A/min to 0.2A/min.   Initiate auto-ramping...   Thursday, June 21, 2012, 08:35 Vacuum has come down to 7e-7 as TGHT is being ramped up at 0.2A/min. (see attachment#1). Increase TGHT rate to 2A/min. The temperature should be measured when the heater gets up to around 500A.

 Thursday, June 21, 2012, 17:37

The NiO discs were heated up to 1500C at 560A.  The target heater was lowered in steps and the temperature was measured.  At 320A, the target container was ~1110C.  (see attachment #1) 

There was a sign of resistant on the target container as the p/s voltage started to go up at a higher rate.  (see attachment#2, 3, 4 for the archived striptool).

Unfortunately, the target container was broken; it was most likely reacted with the Ni.  (see attachment#5)

So.... the possible solution?!  TRY coating the container with Ta2O5.  Will discuss more in the Friday Jun 22 meeting. 

Thursday, July 12, 2012, 17:29

NiO was sprayed on Ni foil.

Average/discs: mass= 0.075g, thickness=0.076mm, density = 7.023g/cm3.

4 set of samples were loaded onto the targetboat (coated/sintered with TaC).  A piece of Ta foil was used as the under layer (see attachment #1).

A 0.002" thick Ta foil was wrapped around the container as the heat-shield.

The chamber was pumped down to 5.0e-6 Torr before the cooling water valve was opened; no leaks was detected.

For this process, the target heater will only go up to 250A (~1100C), with auto-ramping rate at 0.5A/min.

The heater has been stepped up to 50A, local 32A/ 0.23V.  The vacuum reached to max 1.6e-5 Torr, and it's coming down.

Thursday, July 12, 2012, 17:51

Auto-ramping initiated...

 Friday, July 13, 2012, 09:42

TGHT reached to 250A and stayed for 6 hrs (see attachment #2).  At that current, the target wasn't glowing so the temperature could not be measured. 

Initiated auto-cooling at 2A/min. 

Friday, July 13, 2012, 11:00  

TGHT reached to 65A.  Stopped the auto-cooling process and manually tapped down the p/s to 0A.  

Vacuum is stable at 5.7e-7 Torr.  

In the next 30 min or so, the chamber will be vented and the NiO target material will be taken out for inspection. 

 Sunday, July 22, 2012, 20:30

The NiO target materials were loaded into the container today.  

Total discs = 500, (10 discs/pack) 

length (after loaded) = 9.0cm 

Target container is wrapped with Ta-heat shields, and will be removed after the sintering process. 

One regular end cap is inserted (with Ni-foil inserted as a divider).  The caps, however, are very loose (tried 2 caps and still loose).  Hopefully the thermo diffusion bonding will seal the cap... 

The other end is inserted with a D-cap for out-gassing proposes, and will be replaced with the regular end-cap after the process. 

(see attachment#1)

Sunday, July 22, 2012, 20:48 

The camber has been pumped down and currently IG1=1.3e-6 Torr.

The HS cooling water was turned on and no leaks were detected.  

TGHT and TBHT were stepped up to 50A. 

Auto-ramping is initiated at 0.2A/min for TGHT max = 250A, TBHT max = 230A. 

 Thursday, July 26, 2012, 23:31

TGHT and TBHT have reached to 250A (local @ 242A/2.88V) and 230A, respectively, and have stayed for ~4hrs (see attachment#2)  

Currently, IGP1 = 4.9e-7 Torr, IGP2 = 3.5e-7 Torr, CG1B = 13mTorr. 

Initiating auto-cool down at 2A/min.  

 Monday, July 30, 2012, 15:11

The chamber was vented and the target was removed.

There was significant condensation oily fluid coated Cu-heatshield lid and around the ionizer opening.

Overall, the target looks very good.  The NiO target material was nicely sintered.  No shrinkage or loose particles were observed (see attachment #3).

The endcap, however, was not properly fitted and it just fell off, (see attachment #4). 

Both ends of the target are currently opened; the expension tool for the endcap is in order and hopefully this will solve the problem.

The target is being stored in the fumehood

Thursday, August 08, 2013, 15:19

NiO target materials loaded into the container yesterday.

Total discs = 530, (5 discs/pack)

length [after loaded] = 9.0cm

Target container is wrapped with Ta-heat shields, and will be removed after sintering process.

No end caps were inserted.

The chamber has been pumped down and currently IG1 = 3.8x10-06 Torr.

The HS cooling water was turned on and no leaks were detected.

TGHT and TBHT have been stepped up to 50A.

Auto-ramping setting:

0.2A/min for TGHT max = 250A, TBHT max = 230A.

Good vacuum = 3.00e-05 Torr

Bad vacuum = 4.00e-05 Torr

**See attachment #1 for pictures of target pre-sintering

Laura Lambert wrote:

Thursday, August 08, 2013, 15:19 NiO target materials loaded into the container yesterday. Total discs = 530, (5 discs/pack) length [after loaded] = 9.0cm Target container is wrapped with Ta-heat shields, and will be removed after sintering process. No end caps were inserted. The chamber has been pumped down and currently IG1 = 3.8x10-06 Torr. The HS cooling water was turned on and no leaks were detected. TGHT and TBHT have been stepped up to 50A. Auto-ramping setting: 0.2A/min for TGHT max = 250A, TBHT max = 230A. Good vacuum = 3.00e-05 Torr Bad vacuum = 4.00e-05 Torr **See attachment #1 for pictures of target pre-sintering

 Thursday, August 08, 2013, 17:26

Pressure is stabilizing at ~2.2e-5 Torr.  TGHT/TBHT at 50A.

Initiated auto-ramping... 

Sunday, August 11, 2013, 21:30  

TGHT/TBHT have reached to 250A/230A.  Target have been heated over the weekend.  

Cooling down initiated; 2A/min.  

The chamber wil be vented in air tomorrow. 

 Monday, August 12, 2013, 18:01

The sinterring process is complete. 

The target is ready to be removed from the evaporator, and the endcaps will be inserted.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 11:14

Target boat contains 5 Nb discs.  3 discs are wraps with 0.001" thin of Nb foil (99.8% pure), and 2 are wraps with 0.001" Ta foil (see attachment#1)

Chamber has been pumped down over night.  Pressure is currently at 9.8e-7 Torr. 

Heating instructions:

Samples will be heated up to 800C.  TGHT will be ramped up accordingly. (Two thermocouples are wielded on the target container.)

Once at the desired temperature; the samples will be heat for 4 hours before cooling down.

 Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 14:37

Target temperature has reached to 800C at around 13:00 (see attachment#2)

TGHT @ 230A/3.07V (local 233A/3.25V). 

IG @ 1.06e-6 Torr. 

The heater will be ramped down at ~17:00 at 2A/min.

 Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 17:36

Target temp: T1 = 805C, T2=797.6C

IG @ 9.4e-7 Torr.

Cooling down initiated. 

 Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 11:34

TGHT at 0A.  Temp at 22C. 

IG @ 5.8e-7 Torr.

Venting chamber.

John Wong wrote:

Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 11:14 Target boat contains 5 Nb discs.  3 discs are wraps with 0.001" thin of Nb foil (99.8% pure), and 2 are wraps with 0.001" Ta foil (see attachment#1) Chamber has been pumped down over night.  Pressure is currently at 9.8e-7 Torr.  Heating instructions: Samples will be heated up to 800C.  TGHT will be ramped up accordingly. (Two thermocouples are wielded on the target container.) Once at the desired temperature; the samples will be heat for 4 hours before cooling down.  Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 14:37 Target temperature has reached to 800C at around 13:00 (see attachment#2) TGHT @ 230A/3.07V (local 233A/3.25V).  IG @ 1.06e-6 Torr.  The heater will be ramped down at ~17:00 at 2A/min.  Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 17:36 Target temp: T1 = 805C, T2=797.6C IG @ 9.4e-7 Torr. Cooling down initiated.   Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 11:34 TGHT at 0A.  Temp at 22C.  IG @ 5.8e-7 Torr. Venting chamber.

 Thursday, September 19, 2013, 11:41

Target boat contains batch#2 Nb samples (see attachment #1)

Chamber has been pumped down over night.  

IG @ 5.5e-07 Torr. 

CG1B @ 0.033 T

CG1A @ 0.127 T

There is a leak in the backing line.  BV1 was bypassed in order to turn on the turbo pump. (Will investigate the leaks after the processes are done)  

*See attached picture to view samples

Laura Lambert wrote:

John Wong wrote: Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 11:14 Target boat contains 5 Nb discs.  3 discs are wraps with 0.001" thin of Nb foil (99.8% pure), and 2 are wraps with 0.001" Ta foil (see attachment#1) Chamber has been pumped down over night.  Pressure is currently at 9.8e-7 Torr.  Heating instructions: Samples will be heated up to 800C.  TGHT will be ramped up accordingly. (Two thermocouples are wielded on the target container.) Once at the desired temperature; the samples will be heat for 4 hours before cooling down.  Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 14:37 Target temperature has reached to 800C at around 13:00 (see attachment#2) TGHT @ 230A/3.07V (local 233A/3.25V).  IG @ 1.06e-6 Torr.  The heater will be ramped down at ~17:00 at 2A/min.  Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 17:36 Target temp: T1 = 805C, T2=797.6C IG @ 9.4e-7 Torr. Cooling down initiated.   Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 11:34 TGHT at 0A.  Temp at 22C.  IG @ 5.8e-7 Torr. Venting chamber.    Thursday, September 19, 2013, 11:41 Target boat contains batch#2 Nb samples (see attachment #1) Chamber has been pumped down over night.   IG @ 5.5e-07 Torr.  CG1B @ 0.033 T CG1A @ 0.127 T There is a leak in the backing line.  BV1 was bypassed in order to turn on the turbo pump. (Will investigate the leaks after the processes are done)   *See attached picture to view samples

Thursday, September 19, 2013, 17:01  

TGHT reached to 800A.  Temp at 795.9C for 4 hours.  Vac at 5.8e-7 Torr.

Cooling down initiated.  ramping rate at 2A/min. 

John Wong wrote:

Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 11:14 Target boat contains 5 Nb discs.  3 discs are wraps with 0.001" thin of Nb foil (99.8% pure), and 2 are wraps with 0.001" Ta foil (see attachment#1) Chamber has been pumped down over night.  Pressure is currently at 9.8e-7 Torr.  Heating instructions: Samples will be heated up to 800C.  TGHT will be ramped up accordingly. (Two thermocouples are wielded on the target container.) Once at the desired temperature; the samples will be heat for 4 hours before cooling down.  Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 14:37 Target temperature has reached to 800C at around 13:00 (see attachment#2) TGHT @ 230A/3.07V (local 233A/3.25V).  IG @ 1.06e-6 Torr.  The heater will be ramped down at ~17:00 at 2A/min.  Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 17:36 Target temp: T1 = 805C, T2=797.6C IG @ 9.4e-7 Torr. Cooling down initiated.   Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 11:34 TGHT at 0A.  Temp at 22C.  IG @ 5.8e-7 Torr. Venting chamber.

 Friday, September 20, 2013, 14:56

Target contains batch#3 sample wrapped with Nb foil. 

Chamber has been pumped down to 1.03e-6 Torr. 

Samples will be heated up to 1200C for 4 hours.  

 Friday, September 20, 2013, 16:54

TGHT at 450A, temp stabilizes at 1238C.

Will cool down at 20:30 tonight.

Friday, September 20, 2013, 20:40  

Samples has been heated for 4 hours at 1235C.  

Cooling down initiated. 

 Monday, September 23, 2013, 14:40

Chamber was vented.

Batch#3 process completed.

John Wong wrote:

John Wong wrote: Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 11:14 Target boat contains 5 Nb discs.  3 discs are wraps with 0.001" thin of Nb foil (99.8% pure), and 2 are wraps with 0.001" Ta foil (see attachment#1) Chamber has been pumped down over night.  Pressure is currently at 9.8e-7 Torr.  Heating instructions: Samples will be heated up to 800C.  TGHT will be ramped up accordingly. (Two thermocouples are wielded on the target container.) Once at the desired temperature; the samples will be heat for 4 hours before cooling down.  Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 14:37 Target temperature has reached to 800C at around 13:00 (see attachment#2) TGHT @ 230A/3.07V (local 233A/3.25V).  IG @ 1.06e-6 Torr.  The heater will be ramped down at ~17:00 at 2A/min.  Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 17:36 Target temp: T1 = 805C, T2=797.6C IG @ 9.4e-7 Torr. Cooling down initiated.   Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 11:34 TGHT at 0A.  Temp at 22C.  IG @ 5.8e-7 Torr. Venting chamber.    Friday, September 20, 2013, 14:56 Target contains batch#3 sample wrapped with Nb foil.  Chamber has been pumped down to 1.03e-6 Torr.  Samples will be heated up to 1200C for 4 hours.    Friday, September 20, 2013, 16:54 TGHT at 450A, temp stabilizes at 1238C. Will cool down at 20:30 tonight. Friday, September 20, 2013, 20:40   Samples has been heated for 4 hours at 1235C.   Cooling down initiated.   Monday, September 23, 2013, 14:40 Chamber was vented. Batch#3 process completed.

 Monday, September 23, 2013, 16:14

Batch#4.  Target container contains 2 Nb stables (a bullet type and a disc).  

Samples are wrapped with "dimpled" Nb foil to prevent diffusion bonding. 

Chamber has been pumped down to 8.3e-7 Torr, CG1B @ 30mT, CG1A @ 118mT. 

Samples will be heated up to 1400C for 4 hours. 

Monday, September 23, 2013, 17:46

TGHT at 620A. Temp at 1400C. Current pressure @ 2.5e-6 Torr. 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013, 16:45

Sample#4 was heated up to 1400C and after about 3hrs, the target container started to break.

See the link below for more details:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9mhpkz66u6yqldm/Nb_1400C.mp4

Thursday, October 09, 2014, 15:56

The target boat contains 5 samples of Nb discs.  Each disc is wrapped with Nb foil and labelled. 

Samples will be heated up to 1400C for 4 hours. 

chamber has been pumped down to 3.9e-6 Torr. HS valves open - no leaks detected.

Ramping up TGHT...