Laura Lambert wrote:

John Wong wrote: Monday, February 02, 2015, 16:28 Container is coated with TaC.  No Ta foil wrapped around.  Chamber is being pumped down. TGHT/TBHT will be ramped up to 580A/230A at 0.2A/min.      Tuesday, February 03, 2015, 10:28 HS water valves opened; no leaks detected. IGP1 = 5.9e-7 Torr  Wednesday, February 04, 2015, 11:10 attempted to initiate manual ramp up of TGHT and TBHT yesterday, but not responding to EPICS currently sitting under vacuum, waiting on fix...  Wednesday, February 04, 2015, 14:16 controls fixed. initiated auto-ramp.  Thursday, February 05, 2015, 08:56 IGP1 = 4.1e-7 Torr TGHT = 290A TBHT = 225A Increasing auto-ramp to 1.0A/min  Thursday, February 05, 2015, 13:49 IGP1 = 1.4e-6 Torr TGHT = 569A TBHT = 232A Increasing auto-ramp to 2.0A/min

 Thursday, February 05, 2015, 18:02

Auto-cooling TGHT to 400A at 1A/min.  Need to take voltage reading tomorrow. 

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote: Monday, February 02, 2015, 16:28 Container is coated with TaC.  No Ta foil wrapped around.  Chamber is being pumped down. TGHT/TBHT will be ramped up to 580A/230A at 0.2A/min.      Tuesday, February 03, 2015, 10:28 HS water valves opened; no leaks detected. IGP1 = 5.9e-7 Torr  Wednesday, February 04, 2015, 11:10 attempted to initiate manual ramp up of TGHT and TBHT yesterday, but not responding to EPICS currently sitting under vacuum, waiting on fix...  Wednesday, February 04, 2015, 14:16 controls fixed. initiated auto-ramp.  Thursday, February 05, 2015, 08:56 IGP1 = 4.1e-7 Torr TGHT = 290A TBHT = 225A Increasing auto-ramp to 1.0A/min  Thursday, February 05, 2015, 13:49 IGP1 = 1.4e-6 Torr TGHT = 569A TBHT = 232A Increasing auto-ramp to 2.0A/min    Thursday, February 05, 2015, 18:02 Auto-cooling TGHT to 400A at 1A/min.  Need to take voltage reading tomorrow.

 Tuesday, February 10, 2015, 09:35

Vented and opened this morning.

Container fully sintered.

 Tuesday, February 10, 2015, 14:00

Container loaded into EVAP2 at noon.

no heat shields.

Chamber currently being pumped down.

TGHT/ TBHT will be ramped up to 580A/ 230A, tapped up manually.

 Tuesday, February 10, 2015, 14:39

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

Tapping up manually / recording data in excel

 Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 11:24

Reached max set points yesterday early evening.

Tapped down manually this a.m.

Will vent and open this afternoon.

 Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 15:54

Took out this afternoon.

container looks good.

graphite insert removed/ inspected - not much change, slightly lighter in colour.

[see attachments for graphs/ table]

 Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 16:10

Container loaded into EVAP2.

3xTa heat shields.

Chamber currently being pumped down.

TGHT/ TBHT will be ramped up to 580A/ 230A or 1800C tapped up manually.

 Thursday, February 12, 2015, 09:39

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.
Tapping up manually.

 Thursday, February 12, 2015, 12:07

OMEGA reached 1805C; TGHT = 415A, TBHT = 205A

Will continue to tap up manually to 2000C

 Thursday, February 12, 2015, 15:19

Reached TGHT = 500A, TBHT = 230A, OMEGA = 2035C.

Sat for ~2hrs.

Tapping up a further 25A on the TGHT.

 Thursday, February 12, 2015, 16:05

Tapped up manually to:

OMEGA = 2250C

DV = 5.65V

TGHT = 580A

TBHT = 230A

Friday, February 13, 2015, 10:05

Reached max setpoint last night.

Voltage starting to increase at contant TGHT @ 580A.  Lower TGHT to 525A, temp at 2150C (time 6:30pm) 

Initiating manual cool down.

Friday, February 13, 2015, 15:31

vented and opened up this afternoon.

everything looked good, container not broken! graphite insert looked good! the container was slightly bent, but nothing of significance.

however, the graphite insert bonded to the container so it was not taken out in one piece...

 Thursday, February 19, 2015, 15:19

Target container coated with TaC, loaded in EVAP2.

No Ta heat shields.

Will pump down over the weekend.

 Monday, February 23, 2015, 10:22

IGP1  = 1.75e-7 Torr

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

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

evap2 power supply not responding to epics controls...waiting on fix

 Wednesday, February 25, 2015, 16:05

controls now fixed.

danceioc1 involving evap ioc will be updated tomorrow by controls.

once ioc update complete will ramp up.

 Friday, February 27, 2015, 09:34

ioc update complete yesterday afternoon.

IGP1 = 1.1e-7

initiating ramp up...

Parameter setup: 5.0e-5 good vac, 6.0e-5 bad vac.

 Monday, March 02, 2015, 09:01

IGP1 = 2.5e-7 Torr

TGHT = 578A

TBHT = 232A

OMEGA = 1750C

Increasing to 1800C

 Monday, March 02, 2015, 10:42

Reached 1800C at 10:30

TGHT = 603A

TBHT = 232A

IGP1 = 2.8e-7 Torr

 Monday, March 02, 2015, 14:26

Sat at max set point for 4hrs.

IGP1 = 2.7e-7 Torr.

Initiating auto-cool, TGHT @ 2A/min, TBHT @ 1A/min.

 Tuesday, March 03, 2015, 09:17

vented and opened this a.m.

target container looks good, TaC coating fully sintered.

 Thursday, April 09, 2015, 09:33

Target container is coated with TaC and wrapped with 3-Ta heat shields, not incl center block.

TGHT and TBHT will be ramped up to 820A and 230A, respectively.

Chamber pumped down overnight.

IGP1 = 5.2e-7 Torr.

HS cooling water valves opened; no leaks detected.

TGHT max voltage = 18V, TBHT max voltage = 5V

Stepping TGHT and TBHT up to 35A...

 Thursday, April 09, 2015, 10:07

Waited ~20min, vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 5.3e-7 Torr.

Good vac = 3e-5 Torr. Bad vac = 4e-5 Torr.

Auto-ramp initiated at 0.2A/min.

 Monday, April 13, 2015, 09:06

Reached max setpoints sunday morning [see attached photo for striptool].

Internal temperature measured with OMEGA  = 1965C

IGP1 = 4.4e-7 Torr,

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

 Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 14:12

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

Fully sintered.

 Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 13:33

Target container is coated with TaC.  No Ta-heat shields are used.

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

TBHT will be ramped up to 230A at 0.1A/min.

Chamber is currently being pumped down

 Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 15:04

Opened up HS water, no leaks detected.

Stepped up to 35A.

Waited ~35min, vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 1.7e-6 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 11:43

IGP1 = 3e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 282A, 3.8V

TBHT = 156A, 2.2V

Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min and 0.5A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Thursday, May 21, 2015, 10:42

IGP1 = 2.9e-7

Direct voltage = 5.48V

OMEGA = 1703C.

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

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 11:41

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

TaC coating fully sintered, looks good! 

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 11:43

A target boat was sprayed with TaC coating and let dry yesterday.

The target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of Ta-heat shield.

The boat was installed in EVAP2, chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 14:22

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

IGP1 = 2.4e-6 Torr.

Tapping up manually...

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 14:33

Tapped up to 20A.

Vacuum jumped up to 7e-6 Torr.

Backed off to 5A before vacuum started to drop again.

IGP1 = 5e-6 Torr.

Tapping up manually again...just more slowly...

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 15:31

Tapped up to 12A, unable to tap up very fast due to volatile content in coating.

IGP1 = 3.6e-6 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp at 0.1A/min with a max current of 580A.

 Monday, May 25, 2015, 09:03

IGP1 = 3e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 397.5A, 6.43V

Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min.

Laura Lambert wrote:

Friday, May 22, 2015, 11:43 A target boat was sprayed with TaC coating and let dry yesterday. The target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of Ta-heat shield. The boat was installed in EVAP2, chamber is currently being pumped down.  Friday, May 22, 2015, 14:22 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 2.4e-6 Torr. Tapping up manually...  Friday, May 22, 2015, 14:33 Tapped up to 20A. Vacuum jumped up to 7e-6 Torr. Backed off to 5A before vacuum started to drop again. IGP1 = 5e-6 Torr. Tapping up manually again...just more slowly...  Friday, May 22, 2015, 15:31 Tapped up to 12A, unable to tap up very fast due to volatile content in coating. IGP1 = 3.6e-6 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.1A/min with a max current of 580A.  Monday, May 25, 2015, 09:03 IGP1 = 3e-7 Torr. TGHT = 397.5A, 6.43V Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min.

 Monday, May 25, 2015, 17:06

TGHT at been at 580A for over 4 hours.  Cooling down in process at 1A/min. 

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Friday, May 22, 2015, 11:43 A target boat was sprayed with TaC coating and let dry yesterday. The target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of Ta-heat shield. The boat was installed in EVAP2, chamber is currently being pumped down.  Friday, May 22, 2015, 14:22 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 2.4e-6 Torr. Tapping up manually...  Friday, May 22, 2015, 14:33 Tapped up to 20A. Vacuum jumped up to 7e-6 Torr. Backed off to 5A before vacuum started to drop again. IGP1 = 5e-6 Torr. Tapping up manually again...just more slowly...  Friday, May 22, 2015, 15:31 Tapped up to 12A, unable to tap up very fast due to volatile content in coating. IGP1 = 3.6e-6 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.1A/min with a max current of 580A.  Monday, May 25, 2015, 09:03 IGP1 = 3e-7 Torr. TGHT = 397.5A, 6.43V Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min.    Monday, May 25, 2015, 17:06 TGHT at been at 580A for over 4 hours.  Cooling down in process at 1A/min.

 Vented in air and opened up this morning.

Target boat looks good! fully sintered! 

 Thursday, June 04, 2015, 9:07

Container was sprayed with TaC and let dry.

Container has 3x Ta heat shields including center block.

Container was loaded into EVAP2 yesterday and pumped down overnight.

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

IGP1 = 4.6e-7 Torr.

Tapped up manually to 40A.

Waited ~25min, Vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 5.0e-7 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

TGHT will be ramped to reach 2000C

 Friday, June 05, 2015, 10:01

IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 313A, 4.47V

OMEGA = 1444C

Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min

 Friday, June 05, 2015, 11:31

IGP1 = 1.2e-6 Torr.

Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min

Laura Lambert wrote:

Thursday, June 04, 2015, 9:07 Container was sprayed with TaC and let dry. Container has 3x Ta heat shields including center block. Container was loaded into EVAP2 yesterday and pumped down overnight. HS water valves were opened up this morning, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 4.6e-7 Torr. Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~25min, Vacuum stable. IGP1 = 5.0e-7 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp. TGHT will be ramped to reach 2000C  Friday, June 05, 2015, 10:01 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 313A, 4.47V OMEGA = 1444C Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min  Friday, June 05, 2015, 11:31 IGP1 = 1.2e-6 Torr. Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min

 Friday, June 05, 2015, 12:01

TGHT reached to 465A/7.56V, temp is stable at 2000C. Current vac at 1.2e-6 Torr and coming down

Cooling down process can be initiated after 4 hours. 

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Thursday, June 04, 2015, 9:07 Container was sprayed with TaC and let dry. Container has 3x Ta heat shields including center block. Container was loaded into EVAP2 yesterday and pumped down overnight. HS water valves were opened up this morning, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 4.6e-7 Torr. Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~25min, Vacuum stable. IGP1 = 5.0e-7 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp. TGHT will be ramped to reach 2000C  Friday, June 05, 2015, 10:01 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 313A, 4.47V OMEGA = 1444C Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min  Friday, June 05, 2015, 11:31 IGP1 = 1.2e-6 Torr. Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min    Friday, June 05, 2015, 12:01 TGHT reached to 465A/7.56V, temp is stable at 2000C. Current vac at 1.2e-6 Torr and coming down Cooling down process can be initiated after 4 hours.

 Friday, June 05, 2015, 13:21

OMEGA = 1995C

Increasing TGHT to 470A to achieve desired max temperature of 2000C

Friday, June 05, 2015, 15:59

TGHT sat at max desired temperature of 2000C for ~4hrs.

TGHT = 470A, 7.7V

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min.

 Monday, June 08, 2015, 11:31

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

Target container mostly sintered, two tiny patches near both ends not fully sintered.

Will re-install and re-sinter next week as another container with priority needs to be sintered first.

 Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 10:45

See attachements for 'not-fully-sintered' photos

 Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 9:16

Target container is coated with TaC. No Ta-heat shields are used.

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

TBHT will be ramped up to 230A at 01A/min.

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 15:37

HS water valves were opened. no leaks detected.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Once vacuum stabilized after ~45min, initiated auto-ramp.

 Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 08:02

IGP1 = 5.3e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 250A and TBHT = 140A.

Increasing auto ramp to 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Laura Lambert wrote:

John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote:  Thursday, June 04, 2015, 9:07 Container was sprayed with TaC and let dry. Container has 3x Ta heat shields including center block. Container was loaded into EVAP2 yesterday and pumped down overnight. HS water valves were opened up this morning, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 4.6e-7 Torr. Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~25min, Vacuum stable. IGP1 = 5.0e-7 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp. TGHT will be ramped to reach 2000C  Friday, June 05, 2015, 10:01 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 313A, 4.47V OMEGA = 1444C Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min  Friday, June 05, 2015, 11:31 IGP1 = 1.2e-6 Torr. Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min    Friday, June 05, 2015, 12:01 TGHT reached to 465A/7.56V, temp is stable at 2000C. Current vac at 1.2e-6 Torr and coming down Cooling down process can be initiated after 4 hours.     Friday, June 05, 2015, 13:21 OMEGA = 1995C Increasing TGHT to 470A to achieve desired max temperature of 2000C Friday, June 05, 2015, 15:59 TGHT sat at max desired temperature of 2000C for ~4hrs. TGHT = 470A, 7.7V Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min.  Monday, June 08, 2015, 11:31 Vented in air and opened up this morning. Target container mostly sintered, two tiny patches near both ends not fully sintered. Will re-install and re-sinter next week as another container with priority needs to be sintered first.  Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 10:45 See attachements for 'not-fully-sintered' photos

 Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 12:06

After inspecting the target container,  the inner tube surface has "dark" patches, which may not be evenly coated or the coating layer was too think.  

See link for photos:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m94mjuuodwhz5jb/AADEBv_Kha_p_1An40eftWNHa?dl=0 

Attempt to re-spray the container and re-sinter.  

Laura Lambert wrote:

Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 9:16 Target container is coated with TaC. No Ta-heat shields are used. TGHT will be ramped up to 580A at 0.2A/min. TBHT will be ramped up to 230A at 01A/min. Chamber is currently being pumped down.  Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 15:37 HS water valves were opened. no leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Once vacuum stabilized after ~45min, initiated auto-ramp.  Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 08:02 IGP1 = 5.3e-7 Torr. TGHT = 250A and TBHT = 140A. Increasing auto ramp to 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 16:32

TGHT/TBHT are at 580A/230A for almost 6 hours, temp at 1728C.

Vac at 8.5e-7 Torr. 

Cooling down initiated at 1A/min.

Target container should be inspected once the chamber is vented.

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 9:16 Target container is coated with TaC. No Ta-heat shields are used. TGHT will be ramped up to 580A at 0.2A/min. TBHT will be ramped up to 230A at 01A/min. Chamber is currently being pumped down.  Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 15:37 HS water valves were opened. no leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Once vacuum stabilized after ~45min, initiated auto-ramp.  Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 08:02 IGP1 = 5.3e-7 Torr. TGHT = 250A and TBHT = 140A. Increasing auto ramp to 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.    Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 16:32 TGHT/TBHT are at 580A/230A for almost 6 hours, temp at 1728C. Vac at 8.5e-7 Torr.  Cooling down initiated at 1A/min. Target container should be inspected once the chamber is vented.

 Thursday, June 11, 2015, 10:55

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

Same as last container sintered in evap2 [IG-LIS for UCx#13] - ends not quite fully sintered and coating not very good.

most likely due to old TaC spray.

See link for photos.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/75o43x8y2z16e7j/AABc8Z1fTTaTRtJ5_Jr1eacWa?dl=0

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote:  Thursday, June 04, 2015, 9:07 Container was sprayed with TaC and let dry. Container has 3x Ta heat shields including center block. Container was loaded into EVAP2 yesterday and pumped down overnight. HS water valves were opened up this morning, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 4.6e-7 Torr. Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~25min, Vacuum stable. IGP1 = 5.0e-7 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp. TGHT will be ramped to reach 2000C  Friday, June 05, 2015, 10:01 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 313A, 4.47V OMEGA = 1444C Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min  Friday, June 05, 2015, 11:31 IGP1 = 1.2e-6 Torr. Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min    Friday, June 05, 2015, 12:01 TGHT reached to 465A/7.56V, temp is stable at 2000C. Current vac at 1.2e-6 Torr and coming down Cooling down process can be initiated after 4 hours.     Friday, June 05, 2015, 13:21 OMEGA = 1995C Increasing TGHT to 470A to achieve desired max temperature of 2000C Friday, June 05, 2015, 15:59 TGHT sat at max desired temperature of 2000C for ~4hrs. TGHT = 470A, 7.7V Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min.  Monday, June 08, 2015, 11:31 Vented in air and opened up this morning. Target container mostly sintered, two tiny patches near both ends not fully sintered. Will re-install and re-sinter next week as another container with priority needs to be sintered first.  Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 10:45 See attachements for 'not-fully-sintered' photos    Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 12:06 After inspecting the target container,  the inner tube surface has "dark" patches, which may not be evenly coated or the coating layer was too think.   See link for photos:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m94mjuuodwhz5jb/AADEBv_Kha_p_1An40eftWNHa?dl=0  Attempt to re-spray the container and re-sinter.

 Friday, June 12, 2015, 14:58

re-sprayed with second layer of TaC spray this morning.

re-loaded into evap2.

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

will ramp-up over weekend.

Laura Lambert wrote:

John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote:  Thursday, June 04, 2015, 9:07 Container was sprayed with TaC and let dry. Container has 3x Ta heat shields including center block. Container was loaded into EVAP2 yesterday and pumped down overnight. HS water valves were opened up this morning, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 4.6e-7 Torr. Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~25min, Vacuum stable. IGP1 = 5.0e-7 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp. TGHT will be ramped to reach 2000C  Friday, June 05, 2015, 10:01 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 313A, 4.47V OMEGA = 1444C Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min  Friday, June 05, 2015, 11:31 IGP1 = 1.2e-6 Torr. Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min    Friday, June 05, 2015, 12:01 TGHT reached to 465A/7.56V, temp is stable at 2000C. Current vac at 1.2e-6 Torr and coming down Cooling down process can be initiated after 4 hours.     Friday, June 05, 2015, 13:21 OMEGA = 1995C Increasing TGHT to 470A to achieve desired max temperature of 2000C Friday, June 05, 2015, 15:59 TGHT sat at max desired temperature of 2000C for ~4hrs. TGHT = 470A, 7.7V Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min.  Monday, June 08, 2015, 11:31 Vented in air and opened up this morning. Target container mostly sintered, two tiny patches near both ends not fully sintered. Will re-install and re-sinter next week as another container with priority needs to be sintered first.  Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 10:45 See attachements for 'not-fully-sintered' photos    Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 12:06 After inspecting the target container,  the inner tube surface has "dark" patches, which may not be evenly coated or the coating layer was too think.   See link for photos:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m94mjuuodwhz5jb/AADEBv_Kha_p_1An40eftWNHa?dl=0  Attempt to re-spray the container and re-sinter.        Friday, June 12, 2015, 14:58 re-sprayed with second layer of TaC spray this morning. re-loaded into evap2. HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. will ramp-up over weekend.

 Friday, June 12, 2015, 16:07

Vacuum comes down to 6.1e-6 Torr.

Initiated auto-ramping at 0.2A/min for 300A first. 

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote:  Thursday, June 04, 2015, 9:07 Container was sprayed with TaC and let dry. Container has 3x Ta heat shields including center block. Container was loaded into EVAP2 yesterday and pumped down overnight. HS water valves were opened up this morning, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 4.6e-7 Torr. Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~25min, Vacuum stable. IGP1 = 5.0e-7 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp. TGHT will be ramped to reach 2000C  Friday, June 05, 2015, 10:01 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 313A, 4.47V OMEGA = 1444C Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min  Friday, June 05, 2015, 11:31 IGP1 = 1.2e-6 Torr. Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min    Friday, June 05, 2015, 12:01 TGHT reached to 465A/7.56V, temp is stable at 2000C. Current vac at 1.2e-6 Torr and coming down Cooling down process can be initiated after 4 hours.     Friday, June 05, 2015, 13:21 OMEGA = 1995C Increasing TGHT to 470A to achieve desired max temperature of 2000C Friday, June 05, 2015, 15:59 TGHT sat at max desired temperature of 2000C for ~4hrs. TGHT = 470A, 7.7V Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min.  Monday, June 08, 2015, 11:31 Vented in air and opened up this morning. Target container mostly sintered, two tiny patches near both ends not fully sintered. Will re-install and re-sinter next week as another container with priority needs to be sintered first.  Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 10:45 See attachements for 'not-fully-sintered' photos    Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 12:06 After inspecting the target container,  the inner tube surface has "dark" patches, which may not be evenly coated or the coating layer was too think.   See link for photos:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m94mjuuodwhz5jb/AADEBv_Kha_p_1An40eftWNHa?dl=0  Attempt to re-spray the container and re-sinter.        Friday, June 12, 2015, 14:58 re-sprayed with second layer of TaC spray this morning. re-loaded into evap2. HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. will ramp-up over weekend.  Friday, June 12, 2015, 16:07 Vacuum comes down to 6.1e-6 Torr. Initiated auto-ramping at 0.2A/min for 300A first.

Sunday, June 14, 2015, 09:37  

TGHT at 254.2A/3.5V3, DV = 1.614V Temp at 1177C. 

Vacuum is stable at 3.2e-7 Torr.  

Increase ramping rate at 2A/min until TGHT reached 300A. 

Sunday, June 14, 2015, 10:04  

TGHT reached 300A, temp 1368C.

Tapping up to ~1800C

Sunday, June 14, 2015, 11:26 

TGHT at 425A/6.84V, DV 3.59V, temp at 1814C, 

Vacuum coming down, currently at 7.5e-7 Torr. 

Will remain at that current for at least 4 hours before cooling down

Sunday, June 14, 2015, 17:15  

Target container has been sintered with TiC for over 6 hours at 1823C, with TGHT at 425A/6.84V, DV at 3.584V. 

Vac at 4.9e-7 Torr.  

Cooling initiated.  

Chamber can be vented tomorrow and target container can be taken out for inspection. 

 Monday, June 15, 2015, 11:38

Target container was taken out for inspection.  

It's observed that the coated/sintered TaC surface is improved.  The sintered temperature was only gone up just above 1800C, so there still some area near the ends that is still somewhat "brownish", fully sintered shows a

smooth .  (see attachment) 

Spraying into a cylinder tube can be challenging.  It was observed that the coating was dispersed out from the end cap to the centre tube.  For that reason, the container isn't has much protective layer;vthe Ta surface can

react with carbides and the container eventually breaks.  Take the endcap process for example,  the caps are evenly coated with TaC and can be sintered up to 2000C (see e-log Evap ID 202).

Suggestions:  

Using a spray ball nozzle or some sort so that the inner tube can be evenly coated. 

Under investigating...