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.

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

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.

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.

 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

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, 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

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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, 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

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

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.

 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).

 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