The purpose of this experiment is to improve the TaC coating mixed with other metals as additives.  The coating solution will be sprayed on Ta metal (0.015" thick, same thickness as the target container).

The samples will be sintered at ~ 1800C.  Once the process is completed, a graphite tube will be inserted into the tube, and then re-heated it up to 1800C. 

This test will show how good the protective layer to prevent the graphite to react with the Ta metal.

Wednesday, November 06, 2013, 17:11

Step #1

Two samples: 

1.  A short tube (same diameter as the usual container)

2.  A cross section of the tube.

Both samples are coated with the TaC matrix spray: 

0.05 moles TaC

0.005 moles of Mo2C, VC, Cr3C2, NbC 

A Rh foil is used as a protective under layer.

see links for pictures:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/866zsp44nnjeg2z/LqCThu-G_0

The target boat is wrapped with 3 layers of heat shields. 

Samples will be heated up to 600A ~1800C

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Friday, November 08, 2013, 17:13

Chamber was pumped down to ~2e-6 Torr.  HS water valve is opened and no leaks were detected. 

TGHT will be ramped up to 580A at 1A/min. 

Monday, November 11, 2013, 08:10  

TGHT has reached to 580A; samples has been heated at that current for over the weekend. 

IGP2 currently at 3.5e-7 Torr.

Auto cooling initiated, ramping rate at -2.0A/min.

 Step 2:

The coated tube is sintered with TaC-matrix.

The graphite tube is inserted in the tube and will be heated back up; see link for details:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ji0rhlj0v1tfj1w/cRv1I3VJXE

Chamber is currently pumped down to 1.8e-6 Torr.

TGHT will first be ramped up to 450A (1A/min) to see how the reaction behaves, then a caution ramp up to 600A will take place. 

 Friday, November 15, 2013, 11:04

TGHT reached to 450A.  Cooling down to 0A.  Chamber will be vented for inspection.

 Monday, November 18, 2013, 17:22

Continue Step#2:

The sample looks ok after heating at 450A.

Re-heating it to 500A. 

Chamber has been pumped down to 4.0e-6 Torr. 

Initiated auto-ramping...

The source of the poor vacuum in the backing line seems to be related to a dirty filter. We will try to find a replacement filter next week.

The problem seem to have started September 17th, when backing preassure CG1A went from 40 mTorr to 130 mTorr. CG1B remained around 30 mTorr.

With the help of Anthony Ip from vacuum group, the problem was diagnosed to be the roughing pump itself. The pump was replaced and pumping improved. The chamber can now be evacuated and turbo ready to start in less than 10 minutes.

The filter is not stocked by vacuum group and could not be replaced.

Last week parts of the roughing line was cleaned by Rick. The PVC roughing line has been replaced with a SST bellows. The SST bellows is KF25 and should be replaced by a KF40 bellows in the long run.

 Tuesday, October 29, 2013, 15:50: Pumping down

Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 09:32: Turbo started

Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 14:50: The Cu-bars were heated to 600A and 300A for TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 15:17: PS off. Turbo off.

Results can be found on DocuShare and in the attached plot.

Friday, October 04, 2013, 15:37

A LP target container is coated with TaC.  The container is wrapped with 3 layers to heat shield.  

This container will be used for the graphite tube test.  

Chamber is being pumped down.

 The HS cooling water valves are open and no leaks are detected. 

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

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

The temperature will be monitored and measured. 

 Sunday, October 06, 2013, 19:55

Tuesday, October 22, 2013, 16:49

The target was heated up to 580A and the temperature inside the tube was measured to be ~1800C and the outside surface was ~1400C.

The target was cooled down.  Then the graphite tube was inserted.

There are two thermcouples inserted inside the tube on both ends.

Chamber has been pumped down to 4.33 e-7 Torr.  No leaks were detected.

Target will be heated up again to TGHT @ 580A / TBHT @ 230A at 0.2A/min.

The temperatures will be monitored.

T1 = left (floating)

T2 = right (toughing C-grv tube)

(wtf ionizer pointing into the page).

 Thursday, October 24, 2013, 16:35

TGHT/TBHT reached to 580A/230A. 

T1 = 1642C

T2 = Error?? Reading goes on/off intermittently, showing 900 - 1900C

Thursday, October 24, 2013, 16:45 

Ramping up TGHT to 680A to see if T1 can reach 1700C.

IG1 currently at 5.2e-7 Torr.

 Friday, October 25, 2013, 12:30

TGHT was ramped up to 632A (stopped due to voltage limiting). 

T1 was measured at 1960C.  Vac went up as it was heated up.  (see attachment #2)

Target was cooled down at 5A/min, now at 0A.

The chamber will be vented and the target will be inspected.

This run is complete.

Thursday, September 26, 2013, 13:04

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

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

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

Click on the link for detailed pictures:

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

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

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

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

Currently IGP1 @ 5.9e-6 Torr.

 Thursday, September 26, 2013, 15:44

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

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

 Monday, September 30, 2013, 14:54

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

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

The target was cooled down and vented. 

Proceed complete.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 11:14

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

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

Heating instructions:

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

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

 Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 14:37

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

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

IG @ 1.06e-6 Torr. 

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

 Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 17:36

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

IG @ 9.4e-7 Torr.

Cooling down initiated. 

 Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 11:34

TGHT at 0A.  Temp at 22C. 

IG @ 5.8e-7 Torr.

Venting chamber.

John Wong wrote:

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

 Thursday, September 19, 2013, 11:41

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

Chamber has been pumped down over night.  

IG @ 5.5e-07 Torr. 

CG1B @ 0.033 T

CG1A @ 0.127 T

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

*See attached picture to view samples

Laura Lambert wrote:

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

Thursday, September 19, 2013, 17:01  

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

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

John Wong wrote:

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

 Friday, September 20, 2013, 14:56

Target contains batch#3 sample wrapped with Nb foil. 

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

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

 Friday, September 20, 2013, 16:54

TGHT at 450A, temp stabilizes at 1238C.

Will cool down at 20:30 tonight.

Friday, September 20, 2013, 20:40  

Samples has been heated for 4 hours at 1235C.  

Cooling down initiated. 

 Monday, September 23, 2013, 14:40

Chamber was vented.

Batch#3 process completed.

John Wong wrote:

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

 Monday, September 23, 2013, 16:14

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

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

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

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

Monday, September 23, 2013, 17:46

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

Tuesday, September 24, 2013, 16:45

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

See the link below for more details:

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

Tuesday, August 27, 2013, 16:48

Target boat is filled with TaC coated endcaps (brown) and some partial sinterred ones (gray) from before.  (see attachment#1).

The container is wrapped with Ta heat-shield.

Chamber has been pumped down; IG currently @ 7.3e-7 Torr. 

Heat-shield cooling water valves are open; no leaks are detected.

Initiated TGHT auto-ramping at 0.5A/min, set TGHT max at 580A.

 Wednesday, August 28, 2013, 16:09

TGHT has reached to 580A and been heated for over 4 hours.

IG is coming down, currently at 1.9 e-6 Torr.

Initiated auto-cooling.  2A/min. 

John Wong wrote:

Tuesday, August 27, 2013, 16:48 Target boat is filled with TaC coated endcaps (brown) and some partial sinterred ones (gray) from before.  (see attachment#1). The container is wrapped with Ta heat-shield. Chamber has been pumped down; IG currently @ 7.3e-7 Torr.  Heat-shield cooling water valves are open; no leaks are detected. Initiated TGHT auto-ramping at 0.5A/min, set TGHT max at 580A.  Wednesday, August 28, 2013, 16:09 TGHT has reached to 580A and been heated for over 4 hours. IG is coming down, currently at 1.9 e-6 Torr. Initiated auto-cooling.  2A/min.

 Thursday, August 29, 2013, 11:50

TGHT at 0 A

IG at 3.5e-7 Torr

Turning off EVAP2 and venting chamber

Process complete

Wednesday, August 21, 2013, 12:28

Container is filled with 400 discs of Ta foils, and wrapped with 3 layers of Ta heat shields.

No caps are inserted during the conditioning. 

Chamber is currently being pumped down. 

 Wednesday, August 21, 2013, 15:54

HS cooling water valves opened, no leaks were detected.

IG @ 2.9e-6 Torr.

Heating setting:

TGHT max = 820A,

TBHT max = 230A

ramping rate 2A/min.

 Thursday, August 22, 2013, 12:45

TGHT/TBHT reached to 820A/230A, respectively. 

So much out-gassing was observed at the max currents.  (see attachment#1).

TGHT/TBHT are ramping down at 4A/min. 

Chamber will be vented in air.

The target will will be inspected.

More info later...

 Thursday, August 22, 2013, 16:44

Target was removed from the evaporator and inspected.

The container and the Ta materials look OK. 

The outgassing could be from the Ta-heat shields; they look burnt and brittle.

Overall, the target is good.

Thursday, August 08, 2013, 15:19

NiO target materials loaded into the container yesterday.

Total discs = 530, (5 discs/pack)

length [after loaded] = 9.0cm

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

No end caps were inserted.

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

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

TGHT and TBHT have been stepped up to 50A.

Auto-ramping setting:

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

Good vacuum = 3.00e-05 Torr

Bad vacuum = 4.00e-05 Torr

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

Laura Lambert wrote:

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

 Thursday, August 08, 2013, 17:26

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

Initiated auto-ramping... 

Sunday, August 11, 2013, 21:30  

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

Cooling down initiated; 2A/min.  

The chamber wil be vented in air tomorrow. 

 Monday, August 12, 2013, 18:01

The sinterring process is complete. 

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

Monday, July 22, 2013, 15:00

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

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

For the sintering process:

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

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

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

Currently IGP1 @ 7.03e-6 Torr. 

 Monday, July 22, 2013, 15:19

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

Auto-ramping initiated...

 Wednesday, July 24, 2013, 18:40

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

Vacuum currently at 1.65e-6 Torr.

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

Target will be vented in air tomorrow.

Monday, June 17, 2013, 16:57

Target is loaded with 510 SiC discs

Container was previously coated with TaC and sintered

SiC is wrapped with tantalum heat shield

Chamber is currently being pumped down

Laura Lambert wrote:

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

 Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 16:16

HS water valves opened; no leaks were detected.

IG @ 8.9e-7 Torr.

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

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

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

 Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 17:55

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

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

Currently IG @ 4.8-5 Torr. 

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

 Thursday, June 20, 2013, 06:21

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

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

Changed auto ramping rate to 05A/120min.  

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

 Friday, June 21, 2013, 15:19

Vacuum is close to the trip limit. 

Change the ramping rate to 0.2A/120min. 

 Monday, June 24, 2013, 17:04

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

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

 Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 17:29

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

Vacuum is at 9e-7 Torr. 

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

The target will be ready to come out by tomorrow.

 Thursday, June 27, 2013, 11:02

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

Chamber will be vented in air soon.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 17:36

The target containers endcaps were coated with TaC solution and let dry. 

Each cap is wrapped with a small piece of graphite foil and inserted in the target boat.

The chamber is currently being pumped down. 

The HS cooling water valve will be opened tomorrow; any leak will be inspected.

When the vacuum is good,  TGHT will be ramped up to 580A. 

 Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 17:06

HS water valve was opened early this morning; no leaks were detected.

TGHT has stepped up to 50A.  IG is currently at 2.0e-6Torr. 

Initiated auto-ramping at 1.0A/min.

 Thursday, May 30, 2013, 11:12

TGHT reached to 580.  The end caps have been heated at that current for more than 7 hrs.

IG is coming down, currently at 8e-7 Torr.

Auto-cooling initiated, ramping down at 2A/min .

Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 17:04

Target oven is coated with TaC, and wrapped with 3-Ta heat shields.

TGHT and TBHT will be ramped up to 820A and 300A, respectively.

Ramping rate set to 1A/min.

Good Vac at 3.e-5 Torr, Bad Vac @ 4.0e-5 Torr.

Chamber is currently being pumped...

 Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 10:56

Chamber has pumped down to 4.5e-7 Torr. 

HS cooling water valves opened; no leaks were detected.

Stepping up TGHT/TBHT to 80A; monitoring vacuum.

 Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 11:26

Pressure is increasing.  TGHT setpoint @ 80A, readback @ 88.6A/0.603V, local @ 83A/0.80V.

 Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 12:08

TGHT/TBHT stepped up to 140A and tripped off at high limit vacuum.

Restarted p/s and set TBHT/TGHT at 100A

Initiated auto ramping...

 Friday, May 17, 2013, 11:39

TGHT and TBHT reached to 820A and 300A, respectively.  Target has been heating at the max currents for ~12hrs. 

Vacuum is coming down to 4.3e-7 Torr. 

The TaC coating sintering is completed.

Autocooling is initiated.  TGHT ramping rate @ 2A/min, and 1A/min for TBHT.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 10:43

Sintering complete.

Chamber will be vented

 Tuesday, May 07, 2013, 16:48

5 BeO pellets were made.  Each weights about 1.3 g (including org mass). 

A piece of Re foil (0.002" thick) is used as the under layer to protect the reaction between Be(g) and the Ta-boat.  (see Pictures)

Another layer of Ta-foil is used as the heat-shield to wrap around the Ta-boat.

The chamber was pumped down. 

TGHT will be ramped up to 600 A (~1360°C) at 0.2 A/min. The vacuum limit parameter was set for good vacuum at < 3.0e-5 Torr and bad vacuum at > 4.0e0-5 Torr.

The pressure, voltage and current will be closely monitored. 

If the Ta-boat survives, the TGHT will continue to ramp up to max 800 A (~1580°C).

Nikita Bernier wrote:

Tuesday, May 07, 2013, 16:48   5 BeO pellets were made.  Each weights about 1.3 g (including org mass).  A piece of Re foil (0.002" thick) is used as the under layer to protect the reaction between Be(g) and the Ta-boat.  (see Attachments) Another layer of Ta-foil is used as the heat-shield to wrap around the Ta-boat. The chamber was pumped down.  TGHT will be ramped up to 600 A (~1360°C) at 0.2 A/min. The vacuum limit parameter was set for good vacuum at < 3.0e-5 Torr and bad vacuum at > 4.0e0-5 Torr. The pressure, voltage and current will be closely monitored.  If the Ta-boat survives, the TGHT will continue to ramp up to max 800 A (~1580°C).

 Monday, May 13, 2013, 12:48

TGHT has been at 600 A for about 13 hours with stable very low vacuum (10^-7). See Attachment #1.

Temperature measurement has been lost on Saturday. Last measurement was was above 1350°C, at around 480 A.

TGHT was ramped down at 1 A/min.

The chamber will be vented later today. The pellets and the thermocouples will be inspected.

Nikita Bernier wrote:

Nikita Bernier wrote:  Tuesday, May 07, 2013, 16:48   5 BeO pellets were made.  Each weights about 1.3 g (including org mass).  A piece of Re foil (0.002" thick) is used as the under layer to protect the reaction between Be(g) and the Ta-boat.  (see Attachments) Another layer of Ta-foil is used as the heat-shield to wrap around the Ta-boat. The chamber was pumped down.  TGHT will be ramped up to 600 A (~1360°C) at 0.2 A/min. The vacuum limit parameter was set for good vacuum at < 3.0e-5 Torr and bad vacuum at > 4.0e0-5 Torr. The pressure, voltage and current will be closely monitored.  If the Ta-boat survives, the TGHT will continue to ramp up to max 800 A (~1580°C).    Monday, May 13, 2013, 12:48   TGHT has been at 600 A for about 13 hours with stable very low vacuum (10^-7). See Attachment #1. Temperature measurement has been lost on Saturday. Last measurement was was above 1350°C, at around 480 A. TGHT was ramped down at 1 A/min. The chamber will be vented later today. The pellets and the thermocouples will be inspected.

 Monday, May 13, 2013, 17:21

The following table shows the characteristics of the pellets after sintering at 600 A for 13 hours.

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

1    0.8904 4.875 1.364 13.058

2    0.8991 4.744 1.396 13.148

3    0.8846 4.579 1.482 12.884

4    0.9142 4.981 1.254 13.650

5    0.9022 4.978 1.250 13.586

Avg 0.8981 4.831 1.345 13.265

 CTL block on T/C F/T Ch 1
Supply on Ch 3
HS Return on Ch 4

Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 11:20: Roughing

Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 11:45: Turbo started

Wednesday, May 01, 2013, 08:43: Cooling water opened. Vacuum stable at 5.1E-7 T (IGP1)

Wednesday, May 01, 2013, 08:48: Ramping TGHT and TBHT to 850A and 300A at 1A/60s

Thursday, May 02, 2013, 09:10: TGHT reached voltage limit (12V) at ~780A yesterday at ~10pm. Increased limit to 12.5V and continued auto ramping. CTL block temp ~80C

Thursday, May 02, 2013, 10:08: TGHT voltage limit changed to 13V. TGHT:RDCUR goes to ~810A with TGHT:RDVOL at 12.5V. CTL block temp ~80C

Thursday, May 02, 2013, 11:33: TGHT manually stepped to 850A RDCUR at 846A, RDVOL at 13.1V. CTL block temp ~84C

Thursday, May 02, 2013, 15:13: Ramping down TGHT and TBHT to 580A and 280A at 2A/min and 1A/min

Friday, May 03, 2013, 08:30:  TGHT and TBHT at 580A and 280A. CTL block temp ~60C 

Friday, May 03, 2013, 08:37: Ramping down TGHT and TBHT to 0 at 2/min and 1A/min

Friday, May 03, 2013, 11:04: T/C logger removed

Monday, May 06, 2013, 09:37: Turbo stopped.

Monday, May 06, 2013, 10:26: Venting

Target installed with 4 T/C

The target assembly is ITD0300 with the CTL Cu cooling block slightly modified.

Ch1 - CTL cooling block T/C feedtrough
Ch2 - Heat shield below left gripper arm - T/C feedthrough
Ch3 - Heat shield below left gripper arm - 9 pin connector
Ch4 - Target left side leg on tube - 9 pin connector

Friday, April 19, 2013, 15:23: Roughing

Friday, April 19, 2013, 15:41: Started turbo

Monday, April 22, 2013, 09:43: Opened water supply. Vacuum stable at 2.8E-7 T (IGP1)

Anders Mjos wrote:

Target installed with 4 T/C The target assembly is ITD0300 with the CTL Cu cooling block slightly modified. Ch1 - CTL cooling block T/C feedtrough Ch2 - Heat shield below left gripper arm - T/C feedthrough Ch3 - Heat shield below left gripper arm - 9 pin connector Ch4 - Target left side leg on tube - 9 pin connector Friday, April 19, 2013, 15:23: Roughing Friday, April 19, 2013, 15:41: Started turbo Monday, April 22, 2013, 09:43: Opened water supply. Vacuum stable at 2.8E-7 T (IGP1)

Monday, April 22, 2013, 18:48

Ramping TGHT/TBHT to 850A/300A at 1A/min.

Tuesd ay, April 23, 2013, 10:07

TBHT / TGHT: 820A / 300A

TGHT:RDCUR: 816.6A
TBHT:RDCRU: 303.5A

Local P/S displays
TGHT: 821A / 11.05V
TBHT: 307A / 4.37V

Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 10:45: Ramping down TBHT to 0A @ 5A/min

Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 12:49: Ramping down TGHT to 0A @ 5A/min

Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 15:52: Swithced off TGHT and TBHT P/S. TGHT P/S showed 30A read back value, while local value was 0A

 Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 09:53: Turbo stopped

Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 12:00: Target removed 

The ionizer tube was found to have deformed as seen in the attached photo.

 A thermocouple feedthru was installed via 9 pin sub-D connector. It runs from the the conflat cross on the top of the evaporator to the upper 9 pin connector of the target mounting plate.

Monday, April 08, 2013, 17:39

Target container is coated with TaC; the container will be used for the UCx#6 target. 

No Ta-heat shields are used.

For the sintering process:

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

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

Chamber has been pumped down.  HS cooling H2O valve opened; no leaks have detected.

Thursday, April 11, 2013, 14:35 

Target and tube heaters have reached to optimum.

Auto-cooling initiated...

 Friday, April 12, 2013, 11:17

P/S off.  Chamber vented. 

Done!

Thursday, March 12, 2013 

The CTL was removed and target heated to 580A / 300A

T1: Left target leg close to tube
T2: Heat Shield above CTL
T3: Heat Shield cooling water Supply
T4: Heat Shield cooling water Return

Thursday, March 13, 2013  

The target was cooled down 

Results attached as PDF and Excel

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 

Thermocouple channels (see attached PDF for photos)
T1 - Left target leg at tube
T2 - Between cooling fins close to tube, left side
T3 - Supply water HS
T4 - Return water HS

Friday, March 22, 2013

Test not conducted. Target removed.