Tuesday, May 03, 2016, 14:29

Turned vacuum pump on this morning, sounded awful: loud grinding bad noises.

Called vacuum group, will replace pump tomorrow morning.

Sounds like materials coming out from all the out-gassing during sintering processes has ruined the bearings.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016, 13:32

Container coated with TaC using 'flushing technique'.

Wrapped with 3 x Ta heat shields, incl center block - new method of each layer being one long single Ta foil covering entire container incl center block

Currently pumping down in evap2

 Wednesday, April 27, 2016, 10:25

IGP1 = 2.6e-7 Torr.

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Waited ~35min

Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 6.7e-7 Torr

Initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min for the TGHT with a final setpoint of 400A

Final desired temperature = 1900C

 Thursday, April 28, 2016, 14:41

Previously TBHT not on when sintering IGLIS container [since no ionizer tube] - John decided will turn on for this round

Tapped up TBHT manually to 140A, 1.69V

IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr

OMEGA = 1635C

TGHT = 382A, 5.8V

Initiating auto-ramp of TBHT at 0.1A/min with a final setpoint of 230A.

Friday, April 29, 2016, 08:40

IGP1 = 2.22-7 Torr

TGHT = 400A, 6.1V

TBHT = 233A, 2.9V

OMEGA = 1719C

Tapping up manually to OMEGA = 1900C

Friday, April 29, 2016, 15:22

IGP1 = 3.0e-7 Torr

TGHT = 460A, 7.52V

TBHT =230A, 2.93V

OMEGA = 1904C

Target container has remained at max temperature setpoint of 1900C for 4.5hrs.

Initiating auto cool for TGHT and TBHT at 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min respectively.

 Monday, May 02, 2016, 08:35

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

Container looks good.

See attached photos.

Started Ta#47 heating at Evap2 using the autoramp program. The TGHT current is setup to go to 300A (for now) and the TBHT to 230A (final value).

Aurelia Laxdal wrote:

Started Ta#47 heating at Evap2 using the autoramp program. The TGHT current is setup to go to 300A (for now) and the TBHT to 230A (final value).

 Monday, March 14, 2016, 09:20

One thermocouple was not welded on correctly and is not working. 

Cooling evap2 back down, to remove target and re-weld thermocouple.

Once thermocouple replaced, will ramp back up and continue with tests/ conditioning of target.

Laura Lambert wrote:

Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Started Ta#47 heating at Evap2 using the autoramp program. The TGHT current is setup to go to 300A (for now) and the TBHT to 230A (final value).  Monday, March 14, 2016, 09:20 One thermocouple was not welded on correctly and is not working.  Cooling evap2 back down, to remove target and re-weld thermocouple. Once thermocouple replaced, will ramp back up and continue with tests/ conditioning of target.

 Monday, March 14, 2016, 13:12: Stopped turbo pump

Anders Mjos wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Started Ta#47 heating at Evap2 using the autoramp program. The TGHT current is setup to go to 300A (for now) and the TBHT to 230A (final value).  Monday, March 14, 2016, 09:20 One thermocouple was not welded on correctly and is not working.  Cooling evap2 back down, to remove target and re-weld thermocouple. Once thermocouple replaced, will ramp back up and continue with tests/ conditioning of target.    Monday, March 14, 2016, 13:12: Stopped turbo pump

 After EVAP2 was vented the thermocouple problem was fixed: it was the wire at on connector inside the box not making proper contact. The lid of the heat shield was also replaced since the one initially mounted had no holes, so one couldn't see the center block. Restarted pumping down at 4:30pm. Just started again the autoramp program: TGHT set to 300A (for the time being) and TBHT to 230A. Temperature measurements will resume tomorrow morning.

Aurelia Laxdal wrote:

Anders Mjos wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Started Ta#47 heating at Evap2 using the autoramp program. The TGHT current is setup to go to 300A (for now) and the TBHT to 230A (final value).  Monday, March 14, 2016, 09:20 One thermocouple was not welded on correctly and is not working.  Cooling evap2 back down, to remove target and re-weld thermocouple. Once thermocouple replaced, will ramp back up and continue with tests/ conditioning of target.    Monday, March 14, 2016, 13:12: Stopped turbo pump  After EVAP2 was vented the thermocouple problem was fixed: it was the wire at on connector inside the box not making proper contact. The lid of the heat shield was also replaced since the one initially mounted had no holes, so one couldn't see the center block. Restarted pumping down at 4:30pm. Just started again the autoramp program: TGHT set to 300A (for the time being) and TBHT to 230A. Temperature measurements will resume tomorrow morning.

 Raised the TGHT at 620A. The TBHT was already set at 230A. The temperature is at 1902 deg C. As per John's instructions the target will condition at these setpoints over the week-end.

Aurelia Laxdal wrote:

Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Anders Mjos wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Started Ta#47 heating at Evap2 using the autoramp program. The TGHT current is setup to go to 300A (for now) and the TBHT to 230A (final value).  Monday, March 14, 2016, 09:20 One thermocouple was not welded on correctly and is not working.  Cooling evap2 back down, to remove target and re-weld thermocouple. Once thermocouple replaced, will ramp back up and continue with tests/ conditioning of target.    Monday, March 14, 2016, 13:12: Stopped turbo pump  After EVAP2 was vented the thermocouple problem was fixed: it was the wire at on connector inside the box not making proper contact. The lid of the heat shield was also replaced since the one initially mounted had no holes, so one couldn't see the center block. Restarted pumping down at 4:30pm. Just started again the autoramp program: TGHT set to 300A (for the time being) and TBHT to 230A. Temperature measurements will resume tomorrow morning.  Raised the TGHT at 620A. The TBHT was already set at 230A. The temperature is at 1902 deg C. As per John's instructions the target will condition at these setpoints over the week-end.

Today, lowered the TGHT from 620A (at 1894 deg C) to 300A.  TBHT is still at 230A.

Aurelia Laxdal wrote:

Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Anders Mjos wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Started Ta#47 heating at Evap2 using the autoramp program. The TGHT current is setup to go to 300A (for now) and the TBHT to 230A (final value).  Monday, March 14, 2016, 09:20 One thermocouple was not welded on correctly and is not working.  Cooling evap2 back down, to remove target and re-weld thermocouple. Once thermocouple replaced, will ramp back up and continue with tests/ conditioning of target.    Monday, March 14, 2016, 13:12: Stopped turbo pump  After EVAP2 was vented the thermocouple problem was fixed: it was the wire at on connector inside the box not making proper contact. The lid of the heat shield was also replaced since the one initially mounted had no holes, so one couldn't see the center block. Restarted pumping down at 4:30pm. Just started again the autoramp program: TGHT set to 300A (for the time being) and TBHT to 230A. Temperature measurements will resume tomorrow morning.  Raised the TGHT at 620A. The TBHT was already set at 230A. The temperature is at 1902 deg C. As per John's instructions the target will condition at these setpoints over the week-end. Today, lowered the TGHT from 620A (at 1894 deg C) to 300A.  TBHT is still at 230A.

 Cooling down the target.

Aurelia Laxdal wrote:

Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Anders Mjos wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Started Ta#47 heating at Evap2 using the autoramp program. The TGHT current is setup to go to 300A (for now) and the TBHT to 230A (final value).  Monday, March 14, 2016, 09:20 One thermocouple was not welded on correctly and is not working.  Cooling evap2 back down, to remove target and re-weld thermocouple. Once thermocouple replaced, will ramp back up and continue with tests/ conditioning of target.    Monday, March 14, 2016, 13:12: Stopped turbo pump  After EVAP2 was vented the thermocouple problem was fixed: it was the wire at on connector inside the box not making proper contact. The lid of the heat shield was also replaced since the one initially mounted had no holes, so one couldn't see the center block. Restarted pumping down at 4:30pm. Just started again the autoramp program: TGHT set to 300A (for the time being) and TBHT to 230A. Temperature measurements will resume tomorrow morning.  Raised the TGHT at 620A. The TBHT was already set at 230A. The temperature is at 1902 deg C. As per John's instructions the target will condition at these setpoints over the week-end. Today, lowered the TGHT from 620A (at 1894 deg C) to 300A.  TBHT is still at 230A.  Cooling down the target.

Thursday, March 24, 2016, 11:29 

Target was removed from the Evaporator.  

The thermocouples broke off.  

Need to insert Re foil prior to installing

John Wong wrote:

Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Anders Mjos wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Aurelia Laxdal wrote: Started Ta#47 heating at Evap2 using the autoramp program. The TGHT current is setup to go to 300A (for now) and the TBHT to 230A (final value).  Monday, March 14, 2016, 09:20 One thermocouple was not welded on correctly and is not working.  Cooling evap2 back down, to remove target and re-weld thermocouple. Once thermocouple replaced, will ramp back up and continue with tests/ conditioning of target.    Monday, March 14, 2016, 13:12: Stopped turbo pump  After EVAP2 was vented the thermocouple problem was fixed: it was the wire at on connector inside the box not making proper contact. The lid of the heat shield was also replaced since the one initially mounted had no holes, so one couldn't see the center block. Restarted pumping down at 4:30pm. Just started again the autoramp program: TGHT set to 300A (for the time being) and TBHT to 230A. Temperature measurements will resume tomorrow morning.  Raised the TGHT at 620A. The TBHT was already set at 230A. The temperature is at 1902 deg C. As per John's instructions the target will condition at these setpoints over the week-end. Today, lowered the TGHT from 620A (at 1894 deg C) to 300A.  TBHT is still at 230A.  Cooling down the target.   Thursday, March 24, 2016, 11:29  Target was removed from the Evaporator.   The thermocouples broke off.   Need to insert Re foil prior to installing

 Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 09:28: Uploaded thermoucouple data.

Thursday, April 07, 2016, 15:18

E-spun SiC/PAN fiber mats were produced at UBC.

12%PAN solution; 50% SiC to weight of PAN.

Materials used:

1.2g PAN, 8.8g DMF, 0.6g SiC, SDS ~0.1% to SiC

Fiber mats were heat treated at 250C in air.  Then cut into 18" discs and loaded into Ta target boat with heatshield wrapped. 

3 temperature treatments will carry out: 1200C, 1400C and 1600C

Chamber is being pumped down

 Friday, April 08, 2016, 10:02

TGHT at 285A, Temp at ~1200C.  Will remain at this temp for a few hours before cooling down. 

Some samples will be taken out for analysis. 

Next week, temperature treatment will continue at 1400C

 Friday, April 08, 2016, 14:26

Samples have been heated at 1200C for just over 4 hours.

Initiated auto-cooling at 2A/min

 Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 17:51

Heat treatment #2 - 1400C. 

Initial mass after 1200C = 0.0312g

 Monday, April 18, 2016, 12:55

Samples was heated at 1400C (TGHT maintained at ~370A) for 4 days (see attachment 1).

Chamber is vented; samples will be inspected.

 Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 17:49

Results

Sample mass after 1200C = 0.0312g

Sample mass after 1400C = 0.0294g

~5.78% mass  loss. 

Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 17:57

Heat Treatment#3: 1600C

sample mass before heating = 0.0238g (this sample is taken from the batch after it was heated at 1400C)

Chamber is being pumped.

 Thursday, April 21, 2016, 11:07

TGHT stepped up to 330A, temp measured at 1422C.

 Thursday, April 21, 2016, 12:05

TGHT at 415A/7.16V; temp at 1610C

 Thursday, April 21, 2016, 17:49

Temp dropped to 1590.  Increased TGHT to 425A; temp reads 1602A.

 Friday, April 22, 2016, 10:57

Voltage increased to 7.33V, TGHT stepped down to 418A, temp maintained at 1610A.

 Monday, April 25, 2016, 12:08

Sample was heat treated for almost 4 days.  Temperature dropped to 1578C, TGHT at 418/7.26V.  (see attachment #2)

Ramping down TGHT 2A/min.

 Monday, April 25, 2016, 16:00

Result:

Mass after 1600C = 0.0104g, 5.63% mass loss. 

Will do XRD/EDX

Wednesday, March 30, 2016, 11:30

Polycarbosilane fibers were prepared by UBC MTRL. 

Two samples with different fiber sizes were loaded in target boat and wrapped with heat shields.

Samples will be heated up to 1600C.

Chamber is currently being pumped down

 Thursday, March 31, 2016, 16:49

Ramping up TGHT to 300A at 1A/min

 Tuesday, April 05, 2016, 13:02

Samples was heated at 1600C for about 3 hours.  

Then it was cooled down at 2A/min. 

The process is complete. 

Thursday, March 24, 2016, 11:37  

SiC powder (<1um) [10%] was mixed with PAN solution [10%].  Solution was sonicated before e-spinning.  

Fiber mat was binded to graphite foil and heat treated to 250C in air for 1 hour.  

Samples were cut in pieces and rolled up and inserted in Ta target container (TaC coated).  Heat shield was added.

Heat Treatment #1:  

Temperature:  1600C (~350A)

Ramping up TGHT to 300A at 1A/min.  

 Tuesday, March 29, 2016, 11:11

TGHT was maintained at 410A for 1600C for 2 days (see attachment 1).  However at around 22:30 on March 28, there was a sudden increase in voltage.

Temperature raised up to 1750C.  Not sure there was a fault with the control system and it was caused by the Ta-heat shield. (see attachment #2).

 Target was cooled down around 2am on March 29. 

Samples will be removed from the chamber.

Friday, February 26, 2016, 15:44

5 samples were prepared at UBC MTRL using Sol-gel tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) coated on electrospun polyacrylonitrate (PAN). 

Each sample is sandwiched in between graphite foils. 

Sample labeling:

Direct, 0.2358g

Mix, 0.3486g

3X, 0.2273g

5x, 0.2079g

7x, 0.1735g

All samples are loaded in the target boat, stacking on each other.  The Container is wrapped with 2X- Ta shields.

Chamber is pumping down. 

Step#1 Carbonization temperature: 1600C

 Saturday, February 27, 2016, 10:07

Vac at 2.5e-7 torr.

Ramping up TGHT to 300A at 1A/min. monitoring temp.

Saturday, February 27, 2016, 17:38

TGHT at 400A, temp at 1600C. Vac 1.34e-6 Torr.

 Monday, February 29, 2016, 13:04

Samples have been heated at 1635C for almost 2 days. 

Pressure at 2.1e-7 Torr.

Initiated cooling at 2A/min.

 Thursday, March 24, 2016, 11:26

Samples were analyzed for Si using EDX.  Unfortunately, no Si was found.  The vapour pressure of SiO was too high for it to react with PAN to carbonize in a vacuum environment.  

Will look into a different technique.

Thursday, February 25, 2016, 18:04 Wednesday, February 24, 2016, 17:29

Heat treatment of 2 bullet-shaped Nb samples in a LP-SIS container; it is just that we don't have a target boat. 

Container is wrapped with 12" in total length.  A strip of Nb foil is used as an underlayer for the samples to sit on top. 

Chamber has been pumped down and current vacuum at 1e-6 Torr. 

HS water check - good.

Target temperature 1400C

Ramping up to 250A; this should get to ~1300C.  Will let it heat for over night and step up to 1400C tomorrow. 

 Wednesday, February 24, 2016, 17:59

I'm stopping the heating process because the camera is not working.  I can't monitor the temperature.  Tried to fit the camera; don't now why it fails to connect to the server. 

Will look in to it tomorrow...

 Thursday, February 25, 2016, 08:17

Initiated auto ramping TGHT at 2A/min.

Thursday, February 25, 2016, 17:33  

Finally the camera is fixed.  

Current temperature is at 1126C, TGHT at 250A.  Will step up to reach 1400C. 

Thursday, February 25, 2016, 18:04  

TGHT stepped up to 335A to reach 1400C.  (see attachment) 

Will heat this for few hours and cool it at around 11pm tonight.

 Thursday, February 25, 2016, 22:19

Samples have been heated over 4.5 hours. 

Initiated cool down at 1A/min.

 Friday, February 26, 2016, 15:43

done! all good.

 Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 14:19

coated with TaC yesterday and let dry overnight.

wrapped with one long Ta heat shield - wrapped around tube 3x, with Ta wire to offset Ta foil away from container

loaded into evap2 and currently pumping down.

 Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 10:51

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Waited ~20min, vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 5.9e-7 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min to a final setpoint of 400A.

Final desired temperature = 1900C

 Thursday, February 18, 2016, 09:16

IGP1 = 6.6e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 303A, 4.3V

OMEGA = 1311C

Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min.

Laura Lambert wrote:

Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 14:19 coated with TaC yesterday and let dry overnight. wrapped with one long Ta heat shield - wrapped around tube 3x, with Ta wire to offset Ta foil away from container loaded into evap2 and currently pumping down.  Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 10:51 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Waited ~20min, vacuum stable. IGP1 = 5.9e-7 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min to a final setpoint of 400A. Final desired temperature = 1900C  Thursday, February 18, 2016, 09:16 IGP1 = 6.6e-7 Torr. TGHT = 303A, 4.3V OMEGA = 1311C Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min.

 Thursday, February 18, 2016, 13:10

TGHT reached to 450A, temp at 1800C.  Stepped up TGHT 490A, temp measured at ~1900C. 

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 14:19 coated with TaC yesterday and let dry overnight. wrapped with one long Ta heat shield - wrapped around tube 3x, with Ta wire to offset Ta foil away from container loaded into evap2 and currently pumping down.  Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 10:51 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Waited ~20min, vacuum stable. IGP1 = 5.9e-7 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min to a final setpoint of 400A. Final desired temperature = 1900C  Thursday, February 18, 2016, 09:16 IGP1 = 6.6e-7 Torr. TGHT = 303A, 4.3V OMEGA = 1311C Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min.    Thursday, February 18, 2016, 13:10 TGHT reached to 450A, temp at 1800C.  Stepped up TGHT 490A, temp measured at ~1900C.

Thursday, February 18, 2016, 17:21

TGHT remained at max setpoint for 4hrs.

IGP1 = 6.6e-7 Torr.

OMEGA = 1913C

Initiating auto-cool for TGHT at 2.0A/min.

 Friday, February 19, 2016, 14:17

evap2 vented and opened up this morning.

container looks good.

 Friday, February 12, 2016, 11:01

Container coated with TaC with new method - ends tapped off,  liquid poured/swirled around container, then poured back out - 'flushing technique'.

Container wrapped with 3 x Ta heat shields, incl center block - new method of each layer being one long single Ta foil covering entire container incl center block

IGP1 = 6.3e-7Torr

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Waited ~20min.

Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 1.3e-6 Torr.

Initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively with final setpoints of 400A and 230A.

 Monday, February 15, 2016, 08:56

IGP1 = 3.9e-7 Torr.

TBHT = 230A, 4.0V

TGHT = 400A, 6.58V

OMEGA = 1766C

Tapping up manually to 1900C...

 Monday, February 15, 2016, 10:18

IGP1 = 5e-7 Torr

TGHT = 450A, 7.55V

OMEGA = 1913C

 Monday, February 15, 2016, 14:30

IGP1 = 4.9e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 450A, 7.55V.

Material remained at ~1910C for ~4hrs.

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 14:17

vented in air and opened up this morning.

target container sintered nicely.

 Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 14:19

SiC nanofiber was prepared at UBC Material Engineering Sci.  

4 samples are loaded in a Ta target contained (sintered with TaC coating): 

Sample 1: 

size:  21.70 x 21.54 mm, mass: 0.0762g, thick: 0.224mm

Sample 2: 

size: 20.89mm x 23.95mm, mass: 0.0954g, thick: 0.232mm 

--> Sample 1 and 2 with graphite backing foil 

Sample 3: 

size: 22.55 x 25.56mm, mass: 0.0082g, thick: 0.110mm

Sample 4: 16.93 x 23.82mm, mass: 0.0048g, thick: 0.086mm

--> Sample 3 and 4 with no graphite backing foil. 

(see attachment) 

Test#1:  Heating temperature at 1600C for 24hrs. 

TGHT will be adjusted accordingly.  There are 2 Ta-heat shields wrapped around the container. 

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 16:19

Vacuum at 2.0e-6 Torr.

For 1600C, expected current is around 350A.

Stepping up TGHT gradually...

 Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 14:34

TGHT was ramped up to 390A/6.63V to reach 1600C.  Samples have been heated at that temp since 11pm last night.

Visual check on the fibers seem ok (see attachment).

Will continue to heat this for a total time of 24hours.

 Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 22:57

Samples have been heated at 1600C for 24hours. 

Initiated cooling at 1A/min.

 Wednesday, January 27, 2016, 12:34

First attempt - heating 1600C.  XRD result showed board "bumps" that could be SiO2? It is inconclusive. 

Second attempt - re-heating the same samples, namely

Sample 1 - only the fiber

Sample 2 - with graphite backing.  This sample is loaded with the fiber facing down to see how well it holds on the graphite foil.  (see attachment)

TGHT will be ramped up to reach 1800C

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Wednesday, January 27, 2016, 14:04

Water valves open; no leaks detected.

Ramping up TGHT to 400A at 2A/min

 Wednesday, January 27, 2016, 18:08

TGHT is at 481A to obtain 1800C.

Visual check on Sample 2 - fiber has fallen off graphite backing foil.

Will remain heated at this temperature for over night.

 Friday, February 12, 2016, 11:11

Heat treatment test#1 is complete.  XRD results are inconclusive.  Need to do EDX to determine Si/SiO2.  

(See my dropbox for more details)

 Thursday, January 14, 2016, 11:47

Backing pump was making very loud high pitched noises during last couple processes in the evaporator.

Replaced with a new one this morning.

Monday, January 11, 2016, 15:25

Small center block LP-SIS container previously sintered with TaC coating

3x Ta heat shields

Container is loaded with 260 discs of SiC with a total length of 8.5cm

Loaded into evap2 and pumped down this morning

HS water valves opened up, no leaks detected

Tapped up manually to 30A

Vacuum stable

IGP1 = 1e-6 Torr

Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively

Final setpoints: 400A for the TGHT and 230A for the TBHT

Final desired temperature: 1700C

 Tuesday, January 12, 2016, 12:55

TGHT = 138A, TBHT = 80A

IGP1 =  7.7e-6 Torr.

Vacuum stable and coming down.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min and 0.2A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 09:32

TGHT reached 400A ~11.5hrs ago

TBHT reached 230A ~8hrs ago

OMEGA = 1400C

IGP1 = 1.75e-7 Torr

Tapping up manually to 1700C...

 Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 10:14

Previous temperature measurement of OMEGA = 1400C is wrong due to window port being coated with SiC [see attached photos]

Will remain at TGHT = 420A for 4hrs then cool down this afternoon

Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 14:29

Remained at max setpoints for 4.5hrs.

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Thursday, January 14, 2016, 09:47

Vented in air and opened up this morning

Target looks good

Will insert and expand endcaps this afternoon

Temperature measurements in progress this week for Ta HP-SIS.

See attachment for the current settings and rampings of the TGHT/TBHT  for the temperature measurements taken on  Jan. 9-10, 2016 .

Note: TBHT PS tripped off on Jan. 9, 2016 (see first page of the attached file) and couldn't turn it ON again over the week-end.

Aurelia Laxdal wrote:

Temperature measurements in progress this week for Ta HP-SIS.

 Friday, January 08, 2016, 10:49

Rh foil added.

endcaps inserted and expanded.

total length of target with end caps = 3.45cm

spot weld one thermocouple onto center block and one thermocouple onto target leg [left side wrt ionizer tube into page].

 see elog id# 268 for more info regarding measurements taken and state of TBHT power supply...

 Wednesday, December 16, 2015, 10:09

Target consists of 505 discs.

Total packed length 3.4cm.

*same parameters at Ta#46*

Total mass of target materials 53.9381g [4 packs of 20 with Ta wire + 425 single discs].

3 x Ta Heat shields.

No Re foil inserted.

No endcaps inserted.

Chamber pumped down overnight.

IGP1 = 5.1e-7 Torr.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

IGP1 = 5.2e-7 Torr.

Vacuum stable, initiating auto-ramp.

TBHT will be ramped up to 230A at 1.0A/min.

TGHT will be ramped up to 1800C, auto ramp to 600A at 2.0A/min [estimated final value of 720A according to elog ID 239]

 Wednesday, December 16, 2015, 15:08

TBHT reached max setpoint of 230A, 3.3V

TGHT = 600A, 8.9V

IGP1 = 1.1e-6 Torr.

OMEGA = 1543C

Increasing final setpoint of TGHT to 700A and re-initiating auto-ramp.

 Wednesday, December 16, 2015, 16:02

TGHT = 700A, 10.6V

IGP1 = 2.1e-6 Torr.

OMEGA = 1740C

Tapping up manually to 1800C.

 Wednesday, December 16, 2015, 16:28

TGHT = 730A, 11.2V

Vacuum is coming down from IGP1 = 2.6e-6 Torr.

OMEGA = 1800C

Will condition the target at 1800C overnight and ramp down in the morning.

 Thursday, December 17, 2015, 09:31

OMEGA = 1802C on right side

Temp on leg of left side = 2150C, the hottest point - measured with the Mikron pyrometer.

 Friday, December 18, 2015, 08:53

Evap2 remained at 1800C for ~26.5hrs

Auto-ramped down to TGHT = 300A and TBHT = 90A at a rate of 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min respectively.

Conditioning complete.

TGHT will be ramped up later today for emissivity measurements.

 Monday, January 04, 2016, 11:21

the following was performed by aurelia.

emissivity measurements were taken late december.

evap2 was cooled down and left under vacuum over the xmas break.

currently ramping back up for more emissivity measurements.

 Friday, January 08, 2016, 10:47

Aurelia done measurements.

vented and opened this morning.

 Monday, December 07, 2015, 09:04

No heat shields.

Container empty.

IGP1 = 1.1e-7 Torr.

Slope of OMEGA = 0.98

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Vacuum stable, initiating auto-ramp at 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Final setpoints: TBHT = 90A, TGHT = 360A

Will tap up with the same parameters as last round to confirm results.

 Friday, December 11, 2015, 11:44

Took out of evap2 yesterday.

Aurelia took many emissivity measurements to compare with previous data - which matched up.

The dip in emissivity before going up again around ~560A could be due to oxidation of the materials.

Thursday, September 24, 2015, 08:39

IGP1 = 6.5e-7Torr

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Waited ~20min.

Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 1.5e-6 Torr.

Initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively with final setpoints of 250A and 230A.

Final temp of 1200C on auto-ramp in order to initiate temperature measurements starting at ~1200C.

Thursday, September 24, 2015, 10:24  

IGP1 = 8.7e-7 Torr

TGHT = 44A, TBHT = 38A

Increasing auto-ramp to 0.5A/min and 0.2A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Thursday, September 24, 2015, 12:03

Vacuum spiking rapidly.

Stopped auto-ramp, tapped TGHT and TBHT down manually, allowing vacuum to stabilize.

IGP1 = 3.5e-6 Torr.

Re-initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Laura Lambert wrote:

Thursday, September 24, 2015, 08:39 IGP1 = 6.5e-7Torr HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Waited ~20min. Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 1.5e-6 Torr. Initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively with final setpoints of 250A and 230A. Final temp of 1200C on auto-ramp in order to initiate temperature measurements starting at ~1200C. Thursday, September 24, 2015, 10:24   IGP1 = 8.7e-7 Torr TGHT = 44A, TBHT = 38A Increasing auto-ramp to 0.5A/min and 0.2A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Thursday, September 24, 2015, 12:04

 A few notes about the target container:The Ta-foil is cut in a full length of the target container, and that also covers up the back block, and the container is wrapped with 3 sheets (see attachment)

 The inner tube is coated with TaC, using the "flushing technique" - the coating looks much better; will see how it turns out after the sintering process

The target will be heated up to 1900C .  Due to the new wrapping of the Ta-heat shield, the heat distribution may be different.  So the target heater will be ramped up to achieve the desired temperature.  

Thursday, September 24, 2015, 18:45  

TGHT reached to 250A3.6V, TGHT at 230A and stayed for 1.5 hours.  Temp-L = 1280C, Temp-R = 1360C.  

Auto-ramp TGHT to 500A at 1A/min and heat at that current for overnight.  Will take temp reading tomorrow.  

Thursday, September 24, 2015, 23:08  

TGHT has reached to 500A/8.57V.  Temp-L = 1895C, Temp-R = 2073C. (Not sure why the temperature is real, will need to investigate more to get an absolute temp)

Just to be safe… Ramping down TGHT to 425A (according to e-log id 216, Temp-R reached to 1800C with TGHT at 425A/6.84V, but no temp measured for the left at that time)

Will check again later.

Friday, September 25, 2015, 11:52  

The target has been heated at 420A for ~12hours; temp measured ~1900C, slightly higher than the previous target container (W.O#40860-1); the Ta-wraping could affect the heat distribution.  

The temperature is also confirmed by using the 2-C digital pyrometer.  The tube inner surface is measured about 1900C, and the ionizer tube is about 2400C.  (see attachment #2).

Initiating auto-cooling at 2A/min for TGHT and 1A/min for TBHT.

The target will be inspected next Monday

 Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 16:01

The target container is fully sintered (see attachment#3) 

It is still in the discussion where this container will be used online for the UCx.  Nevertheless, the target contain is ready and it looks pretty good. 

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: Thursday, September 24, 2015, 08:39 IGP1 = 6.5e-7Torr HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Waited ~20min. Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 1.5e-6 Torr. Initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively with final setpoints of 250A and 230A. Final temp of 1200C on auto-ramp in order to initiate temperature measurements starting at ~1200C. Thursday, September 24, 2015, 10:24   IGP1 = 8.7e-7 Torr TGHT = 44A, TBHT = 38A Increasing auto-ramp to 0.5A/min and 0.2A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.      Thursday, September 24, 2015, 12:04  A few notes about the target container:The Ta-foil is cut in a full length of the target container, and that also covers up the back block, and the container is wrapped with 3 sheets (see attachment)  The inner tube is coated with TaC, using the "flushing technique" - the coating looks much better; will see how it turns out after the sintering process The target will be heated up to 1900C .  Due to the new wrapping of the Ta-heat shield, the heat distribution may be different.  So the target heater will be ramped up to achieve the desired temperature.   Thursday, September 24, 2015, 18:45   TGHT reached to 250A3.6V, TGHT at 230A and stayed for 1.5 hours.  Temp-L = 1280C, Temp-R = 1360C.   Auto-ramp TGHT to 500A at 1A/min and heat at that current for overnight.  Will take temp reading tomorrow.   Thursday, September 24, 2015, 23:08   TGHT has reached to 500A/8.57V.  Temp-L = 1895C, Temp-R = 2073C. (Not sure why the temperature is real, will need to investigate more to get an absolute temp) Just to be safe… Ramping down TGHT to 425A (according to e-log id 216, Temp-R reached to 1800C with TGHT at 425A/6.84V, but no temp measured for the left at that time) Will check again later. Friday, September 25, 2015, 11:52   The target has been heated at 420A for ~12hours; temp measured ~1900C, slightly higher than the previous target container (W.O#40860-1); the Ta-wraping could affect the heat distribution.   The temperature is also confirmed by using the 2-C digital pyrometer.  The tube inner surface is measured about 1900C, and the ionizer tube is about 2400C.  (see attachment #2). Initiating auto-cooling at 2A/min for TGHT and 1A/min for TBHT. The target will be inspected next Monday  Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 16:01 The target container is fully sintered (see attachment#3)  It is still in the discussion where this container will be used online for the UCx.  Nevertheless, the target contain is ready and it looks pretty good.

 Tuesday, October 06, 2015, 15:09

After further discussion, we are going to reheat this container to 420A.  The temperature will be measured with the thermocouple - probe inside the centre of the tube - and the 2C-IR for comparison. 

This test is to ensure that the container is actually heated to 1900C before the UCx material can be loaded

The chamber has been pumped down to 1.92e-6 Torr.  Heat shield valve is open and no leaks are detected. 

Ramping up TBHT to 230A max and TGHT to achieve ~1900C

 Wednesday, October 07, 2015, 11:12

Yesterday...

TBHT ramped up to 230A and TGHT was at 160A before taking temperature readings. 

TGHT from 160A to 423A, IR2C temp reading increases linearly from 1138C to 1900C, whereas the thermocouple readouts are not quite linear, 1040C to 1748C (see attachment)

After 18 hours, both temp reader dropped about 45C. 

Increased TGHT to 440C, IR2C & thermocouple currently read 1912C & 1762C, respectively. 

 Wednesday, October 07, 2015, 12:28

Lowered TBHT to 200A and TGHT remained at 440A.  IR2C = 1900C, TypeC = 1745C.  Not much affect from TBHT. 

Will increase TBHT back to 230A, then start ramping down TGHT and taking temp readings. 

 Wednesday, October 07, 2015, 17:49

Stepped down TGHT to 160A and TBHT stayed at 230A.  Cooling down temp is generated.  See attachment. 

Notice the overall temp during cooling is lower than that during heating. 

TGHT and TBHT will be ramped down to 0A. 

Chamber will be vented tomorrow. 

More details later...

John Wong wrote:

John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Thursday, September 24, 2015, 08:39 IGP1 = 6.5e-7Torr HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Waited ~20min. Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 1.5e-6 Torr. Initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively with final setpoints of 250A and 230A. Final temp of 1200C on auto-ramp in order to initiate temperature measurements starting at ~1200C. Thursday, September 24, 2015, 10:24   IGP1 = 8.7e-7 Torr TGHT = 44A, TBHT = 38A Increasing auto-ramp to 0.5A/min and 0.2A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.      Thursday, September 24, 2015, 12:04  A few notes about the target container:The Ta-foil is cut in a full length of the target container, and that also covers up the back block, and the container is wrapped with 3 sheets (see attachment)  The inner tube is coated with TaC, using the "flushing technique" - the coating looks much better; will see how it turns out after the sintering process The target will be heated up to 1900C .  Due to the new wrapping of the Ta-heat shield, the heat distribution may be different.  So the target heater will be ramped up to achieve the desired temperature.   Thursday, September 24, 2015, 18:45   TGHT reached to 250A3.6V, TGHT at 230A and stayed for 1.5 hours.  Temp-L = 1280C, Temp-R = 1360C.   Auto-ramp TGHT to 500A at 1A/min and heat at that current for overnight.  Will take temp reading tomorrow.   Thursday, September 24, 2015, 23:08   TGHT has reached to 500A/8.57V.  Temp-L = 1895C, Temp-R = 2073C. (Not sure why the temperature is real, will need to investigate more to get an absolute temp) Just to be safe… Ramping down TGHT to 425A (according to e-log id 216, Temp-R reached to 1800C with TGHT at 425A/6.84V, but no temp measured for the left at that time) Will check again later. Friday, September 25, 2015, 11:52   The target has been heated at 420A for ~12hours; temp measured ~1900C, slightly higher than the previous target container (W.O#40860-1); the Ta-wraping could affect the heat distribution.   The temperature is also confirmed by using the 2-C digital pyrometer.  The tube inner surface is measured about 1900C, and the ionizer tube is about 2400C.  (see attachment #2). Initiating auto-cooling at 2A/min for TGHT and 1A/min for TBHT. The target will be inspected next Monday  Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 16:01 The target container is fully sintered (see attachment#3)  It is still in the discussion where this container will be used online for the UCx.  Nevertheless, the target contain is ready and it looks pretty good.     Tuesday, October 06, 2015, 15:09 After further discussion, we are going to reheat this container to 420A.  The temperature will be measured with the thermocouple - probe inside the centre of the tube - and the 2C-IR for comparison.  This test is to ensure that the container is actually heated to 1900C before the UCx material can be loaded The chamber has been pumped down to 1.92e-6 Torr.  Heat shield valve is open and no leaks are detected.  Ramping up TBHT to 230A max and TGHT to achieve ~1900C  Wednesday, October 07, 2015, 11:12 Yesterday... TBHT ramped up to 230A and TGHT was at 160A before taking temperature readings.  TGHT from 160A to 423A, IR2C temp reading increases linearly from 1138C to 1900C, whereas the thermocouple readouts are not quite linear, 1040C to 1748C (see attachment) After 18 hours, both temp reader dropped about 45C.  Increased TGHT to 440C, IR2C & thermocouple currently read 1912C & 1762C, respectively.   Wednesday, October 07, 2015, 12:28 Lowered TBHT to 200A and TGHT remained at 440A.  IR2C = 1900C, TypeC = 1745C.  Not much affect from TBHT.  Will increase TBHT back to 230A, then start ramping down TGHT and taking temp readings.   Wednesday, October 07, 2015, 17:49 Stepped down TGHT to 160A and TBHT stayed at 230A.  Cooling down temp is generated.  See attachment.  Notice the overall temp during cooling is lower than that during heating.  TGHT and TBHT will be ramped down to 0A.  Chamber will be vented tomorrow.  More details later...

Thursday, October 08, 2015, 12:01  

Test 2: To heat the target container back to ~440A and measure the temperature with the type C thermocouple (inside the tube, away from the centre block) and compared the temp reading with the 2C-IR.   

Chamber is currently being pump down, vac at 9e-6 Torr.  

Will ramp up TGHT to 160A and TBHT to 230A at 2A/min.

 Thursday, October 08, 2015, 17:01

TGHT is now at 440A, TBHT is constant at 230A - IR2C is reading the same as before, 1910C, but Type C is reading lower at 1770C.  (see attachment)

Will keep the current at 440A overnight. 

 Friday, October 09, 2015, 10:06

TGHT has stayed at 440A, TBHT at 230A for ~18hours.  R-temp dropped slightly from 1910C to 1890C and typeC dropped from 1770 to 1756; otherwise the measurements are reproducible. 

After the group discussion, the online heating curve will be re-calculated based on the temp reading from the IR2C curve. 

Next, the target container will be filled with UCx material and the conditioning current for Evap#1 will only go up to 440A (or at least the required current to reach the end of the re-carbonization step). 

So pay attention to the current when heating the target up in EVAP#1.

Initiate cooling at 2A/min for TGHT and 1A/min TBHT

 Friday, October 09, 2015, 11:35

A note about the voltage that may explain the change in the temperature: 

See attachment #2: 

Left plot = Test #1:

Initially TGHT ramped up to 423A and temp measured at 1900C.  Notice, about an hour later, there was a sudden drop in the voltage, and from thereon, the temp was measured at 1860C.  About 18 hours later, TGHT was increased to 440A to achieve 1910C.  

Right plot = Test #2 
Ramped up TGHT to 440A, temp measured 1910C.  At that constant current over the 6 hours period, the voltage slowly increased, and the temperature slightly dropped to 1895C.  

 Data from thermocouple attached. Raw data and Excel sheet with plot.

 Monday, November 30, 2015, 15:37

No heat shields.

Container empty.

Loaded into evap2 and currently pumping down.

Tuesday, December 01, 2015, 10:07 

HS water valves opened this morning, no leaks detected.

IGP1 = 4.3e-7 Torr.

Slope of OMEGA = 0.98

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Vacuum stable, initiating auto-ramp at 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Final setpoints: TBHT = 90A, TGHT = 360A

Once final setpoints reached, will tap up manually to max 1800C [legs = 2000C]

 Monday, December 07, 2015, 09:06

Container was tapped up manually with emissivity measurements taken every 50A starting at 360A.

The final measurement was taken at 640A.

Container was ramped down for the weekend.

See attachment for raw data.

Monday, November 23, 2015, 14:29

No heat shields.

Container empty.

Loaded into evap2 and currently pumping down.

 Tuesday, November 24, 2015, 09:36

HS water valves opened this morning, no leaks detected.

IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr.

Changed slope of OMEGA IR to 0.98 for empty container.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

IGP1 = 4.7e-7 Torr.

Vacuum stable, initiating auto-ramp at 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Final setpoints: TBHT = 230A, TGHT = 300A

Will tap up manually to 2000C

 Tuesday, November 24, 2015, 14:00

TGHT = 300A, 3.75V

TBHT = 230A, 3.08V

IGP1 = 4.7e-7 Torr

No reading yet on the OMEGA.

Re-initiating auto-ramp to final setpoint TGHT = 450A

 Wednesday, November 25, 2015, 09:11

IGP1 = 3.0e-7Torr.

TGHT = 450A, 6.37V

Tapping up manually to 2000C

 Wednesday, November 25, 2015, 15:31

container was tapped up manually to 650A, slope/emissivity settings were checked.

ramped back down to 450A and tapped up manually while recording data up to 1800C [legs = 2000C]

once reached 1800C, tapped TBHT down manually to see relation of TBHT to temperature/ TGHT

remained at 1800C for ~1hr [while tapping down TBHT] before initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min for the TGHT

see attachment for raw data.

 Thursday, November 26, 2015, 10:08

Vented in air and took out this morning.

 Tuesday, November 10, 2015, 14:20

Container previously sintered with TaC coating and temperature measurements taken [see elog ID# 256, 257, 258]

3x Ta heat shields

2 packs of 5 SiC discs ~2inches from the end of the right side wrt ionizer tube into page.

Loaded into evap2 and currently pumping down.

see photos attached.

 Monday, November 16, 2015, 11:24

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

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 3.4e-7 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp at 1.0A/min and 0.5A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Final setpoints: 250A for the TGHT and 230A for the TBHT

Monday, November 16, 2015, 13:29

Vacuum too high.

IGP1 = 2.9e-5 Torr.

Decreasing ramping rate down to 0.5A/min and 0.2A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Tuesday, November 17, 2015, 09:12

IGP1 = 1.45e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 250A, 3.28V

TBHT = 230A, 3.33V

OMEGA = 1194C

Tapping up manually to 1900C

 Tuesday, November 17, 2015, 11:22

Tapped up manually to 1800C, realized SiC should only be tapped up to 1700C, backed off immediately down to 415A from 460A/ 1800C.

See attachment for photo of striptool/ time spent above 1700C [~20min].

 Tuesday, November 17, 2015, 15:46

TGHT remained at 1700C for ~4hrs.

TGHT = 420A, 6.44V.

IGP1 = 2.3e-7 Torr.

Initiating cool-down at 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

See attachment for raw data of temperature measurements.

 Wednesday, November 18, 2015, 13:32

Vented in air and took out this morning.

Looks good, no visual changes with the container.