Thursday, November 05, 2015, 16:19

Springs coated with TaC and loaded into container for sintering.

3x Ta heat shield.

EVAP2 currently pumping down.

 Friday, November 06, 2015, 08:39

Opened HS water valves, no leaks detected.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

IGP1 = 5.5e-7 Torr.

 Friday, November 06, 2015, 10:08

IGP1 = 5.8e-7 Torr.

Vacuum stable.

Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min with final setpoints of 450A and 230A for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

See photos attached to view how springs were coated and loaded into container.

 Monday, November 09, 2015, 09:07

TGHT reached 450A, 7.2V ~8pm sat, nov 7th.

OMEGA = 1775C

IGP1 = 3.2e-7 Torr.

Tapping up manually to 1900C.

 Monday, November 02, 2015, 16:28

Container previously sintered with TaC coating and temperature measurements taken with 1x Ta heat shield [see elog ID# 256] and 2x Ta heat shield [see elog ID#257]

3x Ta heat shields on this container.

Loaded into evap2 and currently pumping down.

 Tuesday, November 03, 2015, 10:37

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

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 6.8e-7 Torr.

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

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

 Tuesday, November 03, 2015, 13:09

IGP1 = 7.7e-7 Torr

TGHT = 250A, 3.42V

TBHT = 185A, 3.0V

OMEGA = 1237C

Increasing ramping rate of TBHT to 2.0A/min.

 Tuesday, November 03, 2015, 13:47

Reached final setpoints.

IGP1 = 8.7e-7 Torr.

Tapping up manually to 1900C

 Tuesday, November 03, 2015, 15:45

Tapped up manually to 1900C

TGHT = 450A, 7.26V

IGP1 = 1.6e-6 Torr

Will remain at 450A overnight and ramp-down in the morning.

 Wednesday, November 04, 2015, 10:00

TGHT remained at 450A for ~18hrs.

IGP1 = 6e-7 Torr.

OMEGA = 1908C

See attachment for raw data of temperature measurements and picture showing voltage movement at max setpoint.

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

 Wednesday, November 04, 2015, 16:43

Vented and took out this afternoon.

Container looks good.

No visible changes to container compared to 2xTa heat shield temp measurements.

 Monday, October 26, 2015, 16:16

Container previously sintered with TaC coating and temperature measurements taken with 1x Ta heat shield [see elog ID# 256]

2x Ta heat shields on this container.

Loaded into evap2 and currently pumping down.

 Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 10:07

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

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Waited ~10min, vacuum stable

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

Final setpoints: 300A for the TGHT and 230A for the TBHT

 Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 13:54

Reached final setpoints.

IGP1 = 5.3e-7 Torr.

Tapping up manually to 1900C

Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 16:42

Tapped up manually to 1900C

TGHT = 455A, 7.66V

IGP1 = 9e-7 Torr

Will remain at 455A overnight and ramp-down in the morning.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015, 09:32 

TGHT remained at 455A for ~17hrs.

IGP1 = 4.3e-7 Torr.

OMEGA = 1888C

See attachment for raw data of temperature measurements.

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

 Wednesday, October 28, 2015, 16:32

Vented and took out this afternoon.

Container looks good. 

See photos attached.

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote:  Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 17:35 This container is prepared for a backup UCx target (otherwise it will be used for development purposes). The container is coated with TaC; one layer of Ta-heat shield is used.  TGHT will be ramped up to reach 1900C (previous container had TGHT ramped up to 440A).   TBHT will be ramped up to max 230A.   Chamber is currently being pumped down.   Heating can begin once the vacuum is good, currently at 4.8e-5 Torr.     Thursday, October 22, 2015, 11:36 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Vacuum stabilized, initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Final setpoints TGHT = 300A, TBHT = 230A IGP1 = 1.0e-6 Torr; TGHT = 45.18A, 0.17V; TBHT = 38.4A, 0.41V    Thursday, October 22, 2015, 17:09 Pressure coming down to 1.5e-6 Torr.  Increased ramping rate to 2A/min for both TGHT and TBHT.

 Monday, October 26, 2015, 16:10

Target container was ramped down over the weekend and taken out today.

Coating looks good.

Will add on another Ta layer and continue with temperature measurements.

See attachment for raw data.

Laura Lambert wrote:

John Wong wrote:  Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 17:35 This container is prepared for a backup UCx target (otherwise it will be used for development purposes). The container is coated with TaC; one layer of Ta-heat shield is used.  TGHT will be ramped up to reach 1900C (previous container had TGHT ramped up to 440A).   TBHT will be ramped up to max 230A.   Chamber is currently being pumped down.   Heating can begin once the vacuum is good, currently at 4.8e-5 Torr.     Thursday, October 22, 2015, 11:36 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Vacuum stabilized, initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Final setpoints TGHT = 300A, TBHT = 230A IGP1 = 1.0e-6 Torr; TGHT = 45.18A, 0.17V; TBHT = 38.4A, 0.41V

 Thursday, October 22, 2015, 17:09

Pressure coming down to 1.5e-6 Torr. 

Increased ramping rate to 2A/min for both TGHT and TBHT.

John Wong wrote:

Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 17:35 This container is prepared for a backup UCx target (otherwise it will be used for development purposes). The container is coated with TaC; one layer of Ta-heat shield is used.  TGHT will be ramped up to reach 1900C (previous container had TGHT ramped up to 440A).   TBHT will be ramped up to max 230A.   Chamber is currently being pumped down.   Heating can begin once the vacuum is good, currently at 4.8e-5 Torr.

 Thursday, October 22, 2015, 11:36

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Vacuum stabilized, initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Final setpoints TGHT = 300A, TBHT = 230A

IGP1 = 1.0e-6 Torr; TGHT = 45.18A, 0.17V; TBHT = 38.4A, 0.41V

 Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 17:35

This container is prepared for a backup UCx target (otherwise it will be used for development purposes).

The container is coated with TaC; one layer of Ta-heat shield is used. 

TGHT will be ramped up to reach 1900C (previous container had TGHT ramped up to 440A).  

TBHT will be ramped up to max 230A.  

Chamber is currently being pumped down.  

Heating can begin once the vacuum is good, currently at 4.8e-5 Torr. 

 Friday, October 23, 2015, 16:15

TGHT reached to 500A and temp measured at 1940C.  More about the temp plot can be found in the dropbox.

Initiated cooling down at 2A/min. 

Target will be inspected next Monday.

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.  

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...

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. 

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:

John Wong wrote: John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote: Tuesday, September 01, 2015, 17:16 Target container contains 533 discs of SiC with packed length of 17cm.  Mass of 533 discs SiC(green)  = 57.8979g Total mass SiC(green) + target container = 1455g Container is wrapped with 3 heatshields; no end caps are inserted yet. Sintering temp at 1800C - TGHT will be set accordingly.  TBHT max at 230A.  Chamber is currently being pumped down.     Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 09:11 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 1.15e-6 Torr Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~1hr40 for vacuum to stabilize. IGP1 = 3.6e-6 Torr. Max setpoints set to TGHT = 630A and TBHT = 230A, ~1400C Initiating auto ramp at a rate of 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Once max setpoints achieved, will tap up manually until window port becomes coated [as previously observed] Once window port becomes coated will leave at set temp for ~4hrs to continue with outgassing, then cool down, clean window and ramp back up. If LS port still clean, will continue to ramp up to final desired temperature of 1800C.  Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 14:23 IGP1 = 4.0e-5 Torr. Vacuum too high, stopped auto-ramp and tapped down manually. Dropped TGHT down from 80A to 50A Dropped TBHT down from 55A to 50A Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 15:29 Vacuum down to IGP1 = 1.2e-5 Torr. Re-initiating auto-ramp...  Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 10:04 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 630A, 9.6V TBHT = 230A, 3.2V DV = 0.22V OMEGA RS = 1476C OMEGA LS = 1450C see attached photo for screenshot. will tap up manually with a visual on both window ports...    Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 15:44 TGHT has stepped up to 820A.  Coating on both windows is becoming obvious and it's interfering the temp readers; however, the left window (see attachment, which is further away from the target) is lightly coated than the right.  See attachment for The Temp (and Power) vs current plots. Target will remained heated at the current and will be cooled down later today.    The target will be re-conditioned up to 820A and temp and mass will be re-measured. Plans: The chamber will be vented tomorrow and the target will be taken out to weigh for mass change.  The chamber windows will need to be clean. A piece of Ta foil will be cover in front of the ionizer to trap any loss material (if any).  Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 17:37 TGHT was at 800A for 2 hours before ramping up 820A for another 2 hours heating.  More coating on the right window is observed and temp reading came down to 1340C.  The left window remains the same and temp reads at 1646C.   Ramping TGHT/TBHT to 0A at 2A/min and 1A/min, respectively.    Wednesday, September 09, 2015, 12:27 Result after the sintering process: No yellow crystal formed (compared to previously observed SiC targets that heated up above 1900C).  Total green mass = 57.90g  mass of graphite foil = 0.035g x 533 discs = 18.7g  mass of green SiC = 39.30g  Target container with SiC before sintered = 1455g  Target container after sintered = 1450g  mass loss ~ 5.0g ~ 13% organic mass, as expected!   The target will undergo the re-condition stage, and the temperature will be measured from 600A to 820A.     Wednesday, September 09, 2015, 17:39 Both end-caps are inserted onto the targets.  The total mass (Target, Sintered SiC, end caps, 4x 19"round graphite foils) = 1453g. Target is wrapped with 3 layers of heat shields.   The extraction electrode is wrapped with Ta-foil (see attachment).  This is to trap any lose particle, if any.   Chamber is currently being pumped down, currently at 1.2e-5 Torr.      Thursday, September 10, 2015, 09:55 HS water valves opened this morning, no leaks detected. TGHT and TBHT tapped up manually to 35A. IGP1 = 4.4e-7 Torr, vacuum stable. Initiating auto-ramp at 1.0A/min and 0.5A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively with final setpoints of 600A and 230A.

Thursday, September 10, 2015, 12:05  

Changed TGHT to 2A/min and TGHT remains at 1A/min.  Vacuum is table at 1.0e-6 Torr. 

Friday, September 11, 2015, 11:34  

TGHT was at 600A for almost 20 hours.  Vac at 5.2 e-7 Torr.   L-temp at 1490C, R-temp at 1685 (odd?).   Using pyrometer to measure - Right end does seem brighter than the L end.  

Continue to ramp up TGHT.  Date is collected, will be posted later.  

 Friday, September 11, 2015, 11:53

L/R-temp measurements just don't seem normal.  

Ramped up to 220A- temp reads L = 1522C, R = 1722C.  

Ramping down TBHT doesn't change the temp.  

Will cool TGHT/TBHT to 0A at 2A/min & 1A/min, respectively.  

Will vent the chamber on Monday and inspect for any wrong.

 Monday, September 14, 2015, 12:13

The target has taken out for inspection.  No visible damage/problem was observed.  The Ta-foil for loss particle capture only showed some heat marking but no material was trapped. 

Target was weighted, no mass loss was observed.

Try expending the end caps to get a good thermal conductivity and will re-conditiong again.  

 Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 12:31

The end caps have been expended. 

New Ta foils are used for the heat shields.  The foils are cut in 3 1/4" x 12" and wrapped around the target.  (see attachment).  This is to see if the heat is evenly distributed.  

Both omega optical lens are aligned properly.  

Target is installed but the chamber is NOT yet being pumped down.  Awaiting for the fume hood work in B2 level to be complete before the evaporator can be started. 

 Wednesday, September 16, 2015, 17:57

The work in the B2 level is done; the nuclear ventilation for the evaporators is now operational. 

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Thursday, September 17, 2015, 12:19

Chamber has been pump down overnight and pressure is currently at 5.8e-7 Torr.

HS valves are opened and no leaks are detected.

Ramping up TGHT/TBHT to 600A at 2A/min and 230A at 1A/min, respectively.

 Thursday, September 17, 2015, 17:58

TGHT has reached to 600A/9.14V.  Both the L and R temperatures are measured at 1710C and 1760C, respectively.  At 600A, the temperature now is about 300C higher compared to that during the sintering process. 

The difference in the temperature could be from Ta surface vs SiC surface.  (But the 2-color IR temp reader shouldn't matter what color it's measuring?!! I don't know!)

Note: 

Both temperature readings are fairly close.  Could this be improved from the new Ta-foils?  Possible!

It is still unclear what is the absolute temperature.  A more systematic student needs to be done. 

Using a thermocouple couple to measurement the endcaps at 600A and compared with the Omage reader may help to understand more. 

After discussing with Friedhelm, it is decided to stay the target at 600A for the conditioning process. 

 Friday, September 18, 2015, 09:10

Target has been heated at 600A at stable temperature at 1716C (LS) and 1769C (RS), see attachment. 

 Friday, September 18, 2015, 11:45

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

Currently vac at 5.48e-7 Torr.

 Thursday, September 24, 2015, 11:31

Target was inspected after the 2nd conditioning, up to 1700C at 600A for overnight. 

No solid particle was observed that might have extracted from the ionizer tube.  

The heat shields have been removed and the target is ready for assembly. 

John Wong wrote:

John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote: Tuesday, September 01, 2015, 17:16 Target container contains 533 discs of SiC with packed length of 17cm.  Mass of 533 discs SiC(green)  = 57.8979g Total mass SiC(green) + target container = 1455g Container is wrapped with 3 heatshields; no end caps are inserted yet. Sintering temp at 1800C - TGHT will be set accordingly.  TBHT max at 230A.  Chamber is currently being pumped down.     Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 09:11 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 1.15e-6 Torr Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~1hr40 for vacuum to stabilize. IGP1 = 3.6e-6 Torr. Max setpoints set to TGHT = 630A and TBHT = 230A, ~1400C Initiating auto ramp at a rate of 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Once max setpoints achieved, will tap up manually until window port becomes coated [as previously observed] Once window port becomes coated will leave at set temp for ~4hrs to continue with outgassing, then cool down, clean window and ramp back up. If LS port still clean, will continue to ramp up to final desired temperature of 1800C.  Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 14:23 IGP1 = 4.0e-5 Torr. Vacuum too high, stopped auto-ramp and tapped down manually. Dropped TGHT down from 80A to 50A Dropped TBHT down from 55A to 50A Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 15:29 Vacuum down to IGP1 = 1.2e-5 Torr. Re-initiating auto-ramp...  Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 10:04 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 630A, 9.6V TBHT = 230A, 3.2V DV = 0.22V OMEGA RS = 1476C OMEGA LS = 1450C see attached photo for screenshot. will tap up manually with a visual on both window ports...    Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 15:44 TGHT has stepped up to 820A.  Coating on both windows is becoming obvious and it's interfering the temp readers; however, the left window (see attachment, which is further away from the target) is lightly coated than the right.  See attachment for The Temp (and Power) vs current plots. Target will remained heated at the current and will be cooled down later today.    The target will be re-conditioned up to 820A and temp and mass will be re-measured. Plans: The chamber will be vented tomorrow and the target will be taken out to weigh for mass change.  The chamber windows will need to be clean. A piece of Ta foil will be cover in front of the ionizer to trap any loss material (if any).  Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 17:37 TGHT was at 800A for 2 hours before ramping up 820A for another 2 hours heating.  More coating on the right window is observed and temp reading came down to 1340C.  The left window remains the same and temp reads at 1646C.   Ramping TGHT/TBHT to 0A at 2A/min and 1A/min, respectively.    Wednesday, September 09, 2015, 12:27 Result after the sintering process: No yellow crystal formed (compared to previously observed SiC targets that heated up above 1900C).  Total green mass = 57.90g  mass of graphite foil = 0.035g x 533 discs = 18.7g  mass of green SiC = 39.30g  Target container with SiC before sintered = 1455g  Target container after sintered = 1450g  mass loss ~ 5.0g ~ 13% organic mass, as expected!   The target will undergo the re-condition stage, and the temperature will be measured from 600A to 820A.     Wednesday, September 09, 2015, 17:39 Both end-caps are inserted onto the targets.  The total mass (Target, Sintered SiC, end caps, 4x 19"round graphite foils) = 1453g. Target is wrapped with 3 layers of heat shields.   The extraction electrode is wrapped with Ta-foil (see attachment).  This is to trap any lose particle, if any.   Chamber is currently being pumped down, currently at 1.2e-5 Torr.

 Thursday, September 10, 2015, 09:55

HS water valves opened this morning, no leaks detected.

TGHT and TBHT tapped up manually to 35A.

IGP1 = 4.4e-7 Torr, vacuum stable.

Initiating auto-ramp at 1.0A/min and 0.5A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively with final setpoints of 600A and 230A.

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote: Tuesday, September 01, 2015, 17:16 Target container contains 533 discs of SiC with packed length of 17cm.  Mass of 533 discs SiC(green)  = 57.8979g Total mass SiC(green) + target container = 1455g Container is wrapped with 3 heatshields; no end caps are inserted yet. Sintering temp at 1800C - TGHT will be set accordingly.  TBHT max at 230A.  Chamber is currently being pumped down.     Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 09:11 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 1.15e-6 Torr Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~1hr40 for vacuum to stabilize. IGP1 = 3.6e-6 Torr. Max setpoints set to TGHT = 630A and TBHT = 230A, ~1400C Initiating auto ramp at a rate of 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Once max setpoints achieved, will tap up manually until window port becomes coated [as previously observed] Once window port becomes coated will leave at set temp for ~4hrs to continue with outgassing, then cool down, clean window and ramp back up. If LS port still clean, will continue to ramp up to final desired temperature of 1800C.  Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 14:23 IGP1 = 4.0e-5 Torr. Vacuum too high, stopped auto-ramp and tapped down manually. Dropped TGHT down from 80A to 50A Dropped TBHT down from 55A to 50A Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 15:29 Vacuum down to IGP1 = 1.2e-5 Torr. Re-initiating auto-ramp...  Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 10:04 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 630A, 9.6V TBHT = 230A, 3.2V DV = 0.22V OMEGA RS = 1476C OMEGA LS = 1450C see attached photo for screenshot. will tap up manually with a visual on both window ports...    Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 15:44 TGHT has stepped up to 820A.  Coating on both windows is becoming obvious and it's interfering the temp readers; however, the left window (see attachment, which is further away from the target) is lightly coated than the right.  See attachment for The Temp (and Power) vs current plots. Target will remained heated at the current and will be cooled down later today.    The target will be re-conditioned up to 820A and temp and mass will be re-measured. Plans: The chamber will be vented tomorrow and the target will be taken out to weigh for mass change.  The chamber windows will need to be clean. A piece of Ta foil will be cover in front of the ionizer to trap any loss material (if any).  Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 17:37 TGHT was at 800A for 2 hours before ramping up 820A for another 2 hours heating.  More coating on the right window is observed and temp reading came down to 1340C.  The left window remains the same and temp reads at 1646C.   Ramping TGHT/TBHT to 0A at 2A/min and 1A/min, respectively.    Wednesday, September 09, 2015, 12:27 Result after the sintering process: No yellow crystal formed (compared to previously observed SiC targets that heated up above 1900C).  Total green mass = 57.90g  mass of graphite foil = 0.035g x 533 discs = 18.7g  mass of green SiC = 39.30g  Target container with SiC before sintered = 1455g  Target container after sintered = 1450g  mass loss ~ 5.0g ~ 13% organic mass, as expected!   The target will undergo the re-condition stage, and the temperature will be measured from 600A to 820A.

 Wednesday, September 09, 2015, 17:39

Both end-caps are inserted onto the targets.  The total mass (Target, Sintered SiC, end caps, 4x 19"round graphite foils) = 1453g.

Target is wrapped with 3 layers of heat shields.  

The extraction electrode is wrapped with Ta-foil (see attachment).  This is to trap any lose particle, if any.  

Chamber is currently being pumped down, currently at 1.2e-5 Torr.  

Laura Lambert wrote:

John Wong wrote: Tuesday, September 01, 2015, 17:16 Target container contains 533 discs of SiC with packed length of 17cm.  Mass of 533 discs SiC(green)  = 57.8979g Total mass SiC(green) + target container = 1455g Container is wrapped with 3 heatshields; no end caps are inserted yet. Sintering temp at 1800C - TGHT will be set accordingly.  TBHT max at 230A.  Chamber is currently being pumped down.     Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 09:11 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 1.15e-6 Torr Tapped up manually to 40A. Waited ~1hr40 for vacuum to stabilize. IGP1 = 3.6e-6 Torr. Max setpoints set to TGHT = 630A and TBHT = 230A, ~1400C Initiating auto ramp at a rate of 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Once max setpoints achieved, will tap up manually until window port becomes coated [as previously observed] Once window port becomes coated will leave at set temp for ~4hrs to continue with outgassing, then cool down, clean window and ramp back up. If LS port still clean, will continue to ramp up to final desired temperature of 1800C.  Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 14:23 IGP1 = 4.0e-5 Torr. Vacuum too high, stopped auto-ramp and tapped down manually. Dropped TGHT down from 80A to 50A Dropped TBHT down from 55A to 50A Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 15:29 Vacuum down to IGP1 = 1.2e-5 Torr. Re-initiating auto-ramp...  Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 10:04 IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr. TGHT = 630A, 9.6V TBHT = 230A, 3.2V DV = 0.22V OMEGA RS = 1476C OMEGA LS = 1450C see attached photo for screenshot. will tap up manually with a visual on both window ports...

 Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 15:44

TGHT has stepped up to 820A.  Coating on both windows is becoming obvious and it's interfering the temp readers; however, the left window (see attachment, which is further away from the target) is lightly coated than the right.  See attachment for The Temp (and Power) vs current plots.

Target will remained heated at the current and will be cooled down later today. 

The target will be re-conditioned up to 820A and temp and mass will be re-measured.

Plans:

The chamber will be vented tomorrow and the target will be taken out to weigh for mass change. 

The chamber windows will need to be clean.

A piece of Ta foil will be cover in front of the ionizer to trap any loss material (if any).

 Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 17:37

TGHT was at 800A for 2 hours before ramping up 820A for another 2 hours heating.  More coating on the right window is observed and temp reading came down to 1340C.  The left window remains the same and temp reads at 1646C.  

Ramping TGHT/TBHT to 0A at 2A/min and 1A/min, respectively.  

 Wednesday, September 09, 2015, 12:27

Result after the sintering process:

No yellow crystal formed (compared to previously observed SiC targets that heated up above 1900C). 

Total green mass = 57.90g 

mass of graphite foil = 0.035g x 533 discs = 18.7g 

mass of green SiC = 39.30g 

Target container with SiC before sintered = 1455g 

Target container after sintered = 1450g 

mass loss ~ 5.0g ~ 13% organic mass, as expected!  

The target will undergo the re-condition stage, and the temperature will be measured from 600A to 820A. 

John Wong wrote:

Tuesday, September 01, 2015, 17:16 Target container contains 533 discs of SiC with packed length of 17cm.  Mass of 533 discs SiC(green)  = 57.8979g Total mass SiC(green) + target container = 1455g Container is wrapped with 3 heatshields; no end caps are inserted yet. Sintering temp at 1800C - TGHT will be set accordingly.  TBHT max at 230A.  Chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 09:11

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

IGP1 = 1.15e-6 Torr

Tapped up manually to 40A.

Waited ~1hr40 for vacuum to stabilize.

IGP1 = 3.6e-6 Torr.

Max setpoints set to TGHT = 630A and TBHT = 230A, ~1400C

Initiating auto ramp at a rate of 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Once max setpoints achieved, will tap up manually until window port becomes coated [as previously observed]

Once window port becomes coated will leave at set temp for ~4hrs to continue with outgassing, then cool down, clean window and ramp back up.

If LS port still clean, will continue to ramp up to final desired temperature of 1800C.

 Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 14:23

IGP1 = 4.0e-5 Torr.

Vacuum too high, stopped auto-ramp and tapped down manually.

Dropped TGHT down from 80A to 50A

Dropped TBHT down from 55A to 50A

Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 15:29

Vacuum down to IGP1 = 1.2e-5 Torr.

Re-initiating auto-ramp...

 Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 10:04

IGP1 = 4.5e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 630A, 9.6V

TBHT = 230A, 3.2V

DV = 0.22V

OMEGA RS = 1476C

OMEGA LS = 1450C

see attached photo for screenshot.

will tap up manually with a visual on both window ports...

Tuesday, September 01, 2015, 17:16

Target container contains 533 discs of SiC with packed length of 17cm. 

Mass of 533 discs SiC(green)  = 57.8979g

Total mass SiC(green) + target container = 1455g

Container is wrapped with 3 heatshields; no end caps are inserted yet.

Sintering temp at 1800C - TGHT will be set accordingly.  TBHT max at 230A. 

Chamber is currently being pumped down. 

Laura Lambert wrote:

Tuesday, August 25, 2015, 11:50 Container coated with TaC using new method: Ends tapped off,  with liquid poured in and swirled around entire container, then poured back out - 'flushing technique' Container is wrapped with 3 x Ta heat shields, not incl center block. Loaded into EVAP2 and currently pumping down.  Tuesday, August 25, 2015, 13:52 IGP1 = 2.2e-6 Torr. HS water valves opened. No leaks detected. Tapped up manually to 35A. Vacuum stable. Initiated auto ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Final setpoints for TGHT = 720A and TBHT = 230A, with final desired temp of 1800C  Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 09:56 IGP1 = 8.8e-7 Torr. TGHT = 260A, 3.0V TBHT = 145A, 1.8V Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.  Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 14:15 IGP1 = 3.5e-6 Torr. TGHT = 720A, 11.3V TBHT = 230A, 3.2V DV = 5.48V OMEGA RS [right side-old port] = 1745C OMEGA LS [left side-new port] = 1880C Tapping up manually to achieve 1800C on OMEGA RS  Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 14:44 IGP1 = 3.7e-6 Torr. TGHT = 748A, 11.9V DV = 5.78V OMEGA RS = 1803C OMEGA LS = 1935C Thursday, August 27, 2015, 07:31  Remained at max setpoints for ~17hrs. IGP1 = 1.3e-6 Torr. DV = 5.79V OMEGA RS = 1862 [this reading may not be correct due to the laser being moved at max setpoint - this temperature reading may be taken from a different location then the last reading] OMEGA LS = 1955 Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Thursday, August 27, 2015, 16:34

Target is removed from the evaporator and inspected.  

The "flushing technique" has a much better result.  The inner coated surface is sintered well.  

 Tuesday, August 25, 2015, 11:50

Container coated with TaC using new method: Ends tapped off,  with liquid poured in and swirled around entire container, then poured back out - 'flushing technique'

Container is wrapped with 3 x Ta heat shields, not incl center block.

Loaded into EVAP2 and currently pumping down.

 Tuesday, August 25, 2015, 13:52

IGP1 = 2.2e-6 Torr.

HS water valves opened.

No leaks detected.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Vacuum stable.

Initiated auto ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Final setpoints for TGHT = 720A and TBHT = 230A, with final desired temp of 1800C

 Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 09:56

IGP1 = 8.8e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 260A, 3.0V

TBHT = 145A, 1.8V

Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min and 1.0A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

 Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 14:15

IGP1 = 3.5e-6 Torr.

TGHT = 720A, 11.3V

TBHT = 230A, 3.2V

DV = 5.48V

OMEGA RS [right side-old port] = 1745C

OMEGA LS [left side-new port] = 1880C

Tapping up manually to achieve 1800C on OMEGA RS

 Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 14:44

IGP1 = 3.7e-6 Torr.

TGHT = 748A, 11.9V

DV = 5.78V

OMEGA RS = 1803C

OMEGA LS = 1935C

Thursday, August 27, 2015, 07:31

 Remained at max setpoints for ~17hrs.

IGP1 = 1.3e-6 Torr.

DV = 5.79V

OMEGA RS = 1862 [this reading may not be correct due to the laser being moved at max setpoint - this temperature reading may be taken from a different location then the last reading]

OMEGA LS = 1955

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

 Monday, August 24, 2015, 12:54

The turbo pump was found to be faulty.  The pump couldn't get on full speed and eventually timed out.  Vacuum group inspected the pump and it is time for a service.  

A new pump has been installed.  Leak  check was performed and no leaks were detected.  

Pump is now fully operational. 

Back in business….