Monday, June 22, 2015, 13:00

Containers is coated with TaC. Wrapped with 3 layers of Ta heat-shield.  Air blown to for quick dry.

Installed, and pumped down, vac currently at 6.7e-6 Torr. 

HS water valve open, no leaks detected. 

Stepping up TGHT/TBTH:  50A.

 Monday, June 22, 2015, 14:22

Pressure is coming down, currently at 1.75e-5 Torr.

auto-ramping initiated: TGHT = 820A; TBHT = 230A, rate at 2A/min.

 Tuesday, June 23, 2015, 00:50

Target container has reached to 1860C and has been heated for almost 4 hours, with TGHT at 800A/12.60V, DV = 6.28. TBHT at 230A/3.8V.  

Vac at 3e-6 Torr.  

Cooling down at 2A/min.  

Chamber can be vented tomorrow and SiC can be loaded in for the sintering process. 

Tuesday June 16, 2015

An Extraction Insulator ITD0381 made from a different grade of AiN was installed in Evaporator 2 for testing purposes. The sub assembly included the SIS Restraint Housing ITD0389, New Extraction Insulator ITD0381, Repeller Electrode ITD0377, Extraction Electrode ITD0374 with fingerstock mounted.

The standoff insulator ITD0400 was found to be swelled up and broken. It was replaced with and glazed alumina insulator.

The tube heater Insulator ITD0342 - central support helicoil was repaired.

Laura Lambert wrote:

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

 Monday, June 15, 2015, 15:24

Same problem also found for the LP-IG-LIS container, WO#40860-1, see elog id#215.  After re-coating and sintering, it seems better. 

For this container, it is re-coated and will undergo the sintering process one more time. 

Will try to go up to 1900C for the sintering process.

Target container is temporarily wrapped with 6.2cm of Ta foil as a layer for heat shield on each side of the tube, excluding the centre block.  The shield will be removed once the process is done.  

Target current will be controlled accordingly. 

Chamber is being pumped down. 

 Monday, June 15, 2015, 16:17

HS water valves open; no leaks detected. 

IGP1 at 6.8e-6 Torr and coming down.

 Monday, June 15, 2015, 17:21

Stepping up TGHT/TBHT to 60A, pressure seems pretty stable at 7.2e-6 Torr and coming down. 

Setting TGHT to 400A and TBHT to 230A, auto-ramping initiated.   Will setup up current to reach 1900C, if necessary. 

 Monday, June 15, 2015, 20:28

TGHT and TBHT reached 400A/230A, Temp at 1552C.  Vac at 2.7e-6 Torr.

Stepping TGHT

Monday, June 15, 2015, 21:16  

TGHT at 520A/9.06 V to achieve 1900C.  DV at 5.09V.  

Vac at 4.2e-6 Torr.  

Will continue the sintering process at this temperature for another 3-4 hours. 

 Tuesday, June 16, 2015, 00:15

Target container has been heated at 1900C for over 3 hours.  

Vacuum is coming down to 1.4e-6 Torr.  

Initiated cooling process at 2A/min

Chamber can be vented tomorrow and container should be inspected

 Friday, June 26, 2015, 16:04

Container looks good!

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...

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:  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.

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

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.

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.  

 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.

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

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. 

 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

John Wong wrote:

John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote:  Friday, May 29, 2015, 11:21 Total number of foils: 425 discs Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]: 44.41g Total length packed: 12.3cm Container has no heat shields. No endcaps inserted to allow outgassing. Currently being pumped down.  Friday, May 29, 2015, 14:13 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 5.4e-6 Torr. Tapping up manually. Friday, May 29, 2015, 16:48 Tapped up manually to 20A. IGP1 = 5.9e-6 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min for the TGHT and 0.1A/min for the TBHT. Max setpoints set to 580A and 230A for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Good Vacuum = 3.0e-5 Torr. Bad Vacuum = 4.0e-5 Torr.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 09:17 IGP1 = 3.8e-6 Torr. TGHT = 478A. TBHT reached max setpoint of 230A. Increasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 13:15 Checked window for temperature readings, good visibility, no coating on window.  IGP1 = 9.1e-6 Torr. TGHT reached max setpoint of 580A 30min ago. Stepping up manually to a target temperature of 2000C...  Monday, June 01, 2015, 16:25 IGP1 = 6.5e-6 Torr. TGHT = 870A, 17.90V OMEGA = 1948C    Monday, June 01, 2015, 17:59 After almost an hour at 870A, the temperature went up from 1948C to 1980C; however temperature around the target container/legs are >2000C.  The voltage on the power supply also went up slightly.  There is a film coated on the window port and that could affect the temp reading. To be safe, I lowered the TGHT to 830A/17.38V, temp at 1930C.  Will keep at 830A for 4 hours and cool down this evening.  Recommend: Using Ta-heat shields for sintering next time.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 22:55 TGHT at 830A for almost 5 hours.   TEMP has gone up to 1994C.  Voltage has also gone up to 19V.   Cooling down at 2A/min for TGHT and 1A/min for TBHT.     Tuesday, June 02, 2015, 12:37 Chamber was vented and the target was inspected.  Some stressed marks on the target container can be observed. The container is also slightly curved but otherwise it's fine.  The materials packed length has expended outward so 3 discs were removed in order to insert the end caps.  The packed length is now 16cm. Two extra graphite foils were inserted on both ends, and previously coated/sintered TaC-end caps are inserted and expended.  Rn foil is inserted & Std solutions are added.  Ready for test-stand. Link to photos for more details: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0cra7viqs9ro8q3/AADEGk8goGI4c-uzRQSGwWmxa?dl=0

 see attachment for data recorded during ZrC conditioning 

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Friday, May 29, 2015, 11:21 Total number of foils: 425 discs Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]: 44.41g Total length packed: 12.3cm Container has no heat shields. No endcaps inserted to allow outgassing. Currently being pumped down.  Friday, May 29, 2015, 14:13 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 5.4e-6 Torr. Tapping up manually. Friday, May 29, 2015, 16:48 Tapped up manually to 20A. IGP1 = 5.9e-6 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min for the TGHT and 0.1A/min for the TBHT. Max setpoints set to 580A and 230A for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Good Vacuum = 3.0e-5 Torr. Bad Vacuum = 4.0e-5 Torr.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 09:17 IGP1 = 3.8e-6 Torr. TGHT = 478A. TBHT reached max setpoint of 230A. Increasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 13:15 Checked window for temperature readings, good visibility, no coating on window.  IGP1 = 9.1e-6 Torr. TGHT reached max setpoint of 580A 30min ago. Stepping up manually to a target temperature of 2000C...  Monday, June 01, 2015, 16:25 IGP1 = 6.5e-6 Torr. TGHT = 870A, 17.90V OMEGA = 1948C    Monday, June 01, 2015, 17:59 After almost an hour at 870A, the temperature went up from 1948C to 1980C; however temperature around the target container/legs are >2000C.  The voltage on the power supply also went up slightly.  There is a film coated on the window port and that could affect the temp reading. To be safe, I lowered the TGHT to 830A/17.38V, temp at 1930C.  Will keep at 830A for 4 hours and cool down this evening.  Recommend: Using Ta-heat shields for sintering next time.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 22:55 TGHT at 830A for almost 5 hours.   TEMP has gone up to 1994C.  Voltage has also gone up to 19V.   Cooling down at 2A/min for TGHT and 1A/min for TBHT.

 Tuesday, June 02, 2015, 12:37

Chamber was vented and the target was inspected. 

Some stressed marks on the target container can be observed.

The container is also slightly curved but otherwise it's fine. 

The materials packed length has expended outward so 3 discs were removed in order to insert the end caps. 

The packed length is now 16cm.

Two extra graphite foils were inserted on both ends, and previously coated/sintered TaC-end caps are inserted and expended. 

Rn foil is inserted & Std solutions are added. 

Ready for test-stand.

Link to photos for more details:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0cra7viqs9ro8q3/AADEGk8goGI4c-uzRQSGwWmxa?dl=0

Laura Lambert wrote:

Friday, May 29, 2015, 11:21 Total number of foils: 425 discs Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]: 44.41g Total length packed: 12.3cm Container has no heat shields. No endcaps inserted to allow outgassing. Currently being pumped down.  Friday, May 29, 2015, 14:13 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 5.4e-6 Torr. Tapping up manually. Friday, May 29, 2015, 16:48 Tapped up manually to 20A. IGP1 = 5.9e-6 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min for the TGHT and 0.1A/min for the TBHT. Max setpoints set to 580A and 230A for the TGHT and TBHT respectively. Good Vacuum = 3.0e-5 Torr. Bad Vacuum = 4.0e-5 Torr.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 09:17 IGP1 = 3.8e-6 Torr. TGHT = 478A. TBHT reached max setpoint of 230A. Increasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min.  Monday, June 01, 2015, 13:15 Checked window for temperature readings, good visibility, no coating on window.  IGP1 = 9.1e-6 Torr. TGHT reached max setpoint of 580A 30min ago. Stepping up manually to a target temperature of 2000C...  Monday, June 01, 2015, 16:25 IGP1 = 6.5e-6 Torr. TGHT = 870A, 17.90V OMEGA = 1948C

 Monday, June 01, 2015, 17:59

After almost an hour at 870A, the temperature went up from 1948C to 1980C; however temperature around the target container/legs are >2000C.  The voltage on the power supply also went up slightly. 

There is a film coated on the window port and that could affect the temp reading.

To be safe, I lowered the TGHT to 830A/17.38V, temp at 1930C. 

Will keep at 830A for 4 hours and cool down this evening. 

Recommend: Using Ta-heat shields for sintering next time.

 Monday, June 01, 2015, 22:55

TGHT at 830A for almost 5 hours.  

TEMP has gone up to 1994C.  Voltage has also gone up to 19V.  

Cooling down at 2A/min for TGHT and 1A/min for TBHT. 

 Friday, May 29, 2015, 11:21

Total number of foils: 425 discs

Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]: 44.41g

Total length packed: 12.3cm

Container has no heat shields.

No endcaps inserted to allow outgassing.

Currently being pumped down.

 Friday, May 29, 2015, 14:13

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

IGP1 = 5.4e-6 Torr.

Tapping up manually.

Friday, May 29, 2015, 16:48

Tapped up manually to 20A.

IGP1 = 5.9e-6 Torr.

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

Max setpoints set to 580A and 230A for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

Good Vacuum = 3.0e-5 Torr. Bad Vacuum = 4.0e-5 Torr.

 Monday, June 01, 2015, 09:17

IGP1 = 3.8e-6 Torr.

TGHT = 478A.

TBHT reached max setpoint of 230A.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min.

 Monday, June 01, 2015, 13:15

Checked window for temperature readings, good visibility, no coating on window. 

IGP1 = 9.1e-6 Torr.

TGHT reached max setpoint of 580A 30min ago.

Stepping up manually to a target temperature of 2000C...

 Monday, June 01, 2015, 16:25

IGP1 = 6.5e-6 Torr.

TGHT = 870A, 17.90V

OMEGA = 1948C

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Thursday, May 28, 2015, 11:34 Endcaps were sintered [see elog#199] A Ta foil is placed in the target boat with separate slots for each endcap [see image] The target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of Ta-heat shield. The boat is installed in EVAP2, chamber is currently being pumped down.  Thursday, May 28, 2015, 14:01 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 1.4e-6 Torr. Initiating manual tap up.  Thursday, May 28, 2015, 15:10 Manually tapped up TGHT  to 108A, 1.1V Initiating auto-ramp at 2.0A/min with a max setpoint of 300A  Thursday, May 28, 2015, 15:22 Hoping to speed up the process... IGP1 = 1.0e-6 Torr. Increasing ramping rate to 4.0A/min with a max setpoint of 500A Final desired temperature = 1800C    Thursday, May 28, 2015, 17:42 TGHT at 500A. Temp at 1780C. Increased TGHT to 580A (online operating current),  Temp 1945C, vac 2.9e-6 torr and coming down.  Will remain at that current for the sintering process. Cooling it down later this evening. Thursday, May 28, 2015, 21:27   Temp stabilized at 1960C with TGHT at 580A for almost 4 hours.  Vacuum at 1.8e-7 Torr. Cooling down initiated at 2A/min.

 Friday, May 29, 2015, 11:16

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

Endcaps look great!  

Sintering was spot on [see pictures]

Laura Lambert wrote:

Thursday, May 28, 2015, 11:34 Endcaps were sintered [see elog#199] A Ta foil is placed in the target boat with separate slots for each endcap [see image] The target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of Ta-heat shield. The boat is installed in EVAP2, chamber is currently being pumped down.  Thursday, May 28, 2015, 14:01 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. IGP1 = 1.4e-6 Torr. Initiating manual tap up.  Thursday, May 28, 2015, 15:10 Manually tapped up TGHT  to 108A, 1.1V Initiating auto-ramp at 2.0A/min with a max setpoint of 300A  Thursday, May 28, 2015, 15:22 Hoping to speed up the process... IGP1 = 1.0e-6 Torr. Increasing ramping rate to 4.0A/min with a max setpoint of 500A Final desired temperature = 1800C

 Thursday, May 28, 2015, 17:42

TGHT at 500A. Temp at 1780C.

Increased TGHT to 580A (online operating current),  Temp 1945C, vac 2.9e-6 torr and coming down.  Will remain at that current for the sintering process.

Cooling it down later this evening.

Thursday, May 28, 2015, 21:27  

Temp stabilized at 1960C with TGHT at 580A for almost 4 hours.  Vacuum at 1.8e-7 Torr.

Cooling down initiated at 2A/min.

 Thursday, May 28, 2015, 11:34

Endcaps were sintered [see elog#199]

A Ta foil is placed in the target boat with separate slots for each endcap [see image]

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

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

 Thursday, May 28, 2015, 14:01

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

IGP1 = 1.4e-6 Torr.

Initiating manual tap up.

 Thursday, May 28, 2015, 15:10

Manually tapped up TGHT  to 108A, 1.1V

Initiating auto-ramp at 2.0A/min with a max setpoint of 300A

 Thursday, May 28, 2015, 15:22

Hoping to speed up the process...

IGP1 = 1.0e-6 Torr.

Increasing ramping rate to 4.0A/min with a max setpoint of 500A

Final desired temperature = 1800C