Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 13:33

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

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

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

Chamber is currently being pumped down

 Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 15:04

Opened up HS water, no leaks detected.

Stepped up to 35A.

Waited ~35min, vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 1.7e-6 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 11:43

IGP1 = 3e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 282A, 3.8V

TBHT = 156A, 2.2V

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

 Thursday, May 21, 2015, 10:42

IGP1 = 2.9e-7

Direct voltage = 5.48V

OMEGA = 1703C.

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

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 11:41

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

TaC coating fully sintered, looks good! 

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 11:43

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

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

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

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 14:22

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

IGP1 = 2.4e-6 Torr.

Tapping up manually...

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 14:33

Tapped up to 20A.

Vacuum jumped up to 7e-6 Torr.

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

IGP1 = 5e-6 Torr.

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

 Friday, May 22, 2015, 15:31

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

IGP1 = 3.6e-6 Torr.

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

 Monday, May 25, 2015, 09:03

IGP1 = 3e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 397.5A, 6.43V

Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min.

John Wong wrote:

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

 Vented in air and opened up this morning.

Target boat looks good! fully sintered! 

 Tuesday, May 26, 2015, 13:06

Endcaps were sprayed with TaC coating and let dry.

Each endcap is wrapped separately with a sheet of graphite foil and stacked in the target boat [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.

 Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 08:50

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

Stepped up manually to 35A.

Initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min yesterday afternoon.

TGHT = 254A, 3.56V.

IGP1 = 5.9e-7 Torr.

Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min with a max setpoint of 400A.

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Tuesday, May 26, 2015, 13:06 Endcaps were sprayed with TaC coating and let dry. Each endcap is wrapped separately with a sheet of graphite foil and stacked in the target boat [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.  Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 08:50 HS water valves opened, no leaks detected. Stepped up manually to 35A. Initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min yesterday afternoon. TGHT = 254A, 3.56V. IGP1 = 5.9e-7 Torr. Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min with a max setpoint of 400A.    Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 17:51 TGHT has been at 400A for almost 6 hours.  Temp at 1500C. Cooling down to 0A at 1A/min. Chamber will be vented to inspect the caps.  May have to remove the graphite foil wrapped on the caps and re-sintered the caps to 1800C.

 Thursday, May 28, 2015, 08:13

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

Not fully sintered [see pictures]

 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

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]

 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:

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 

 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:

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

 Friday, June 05, 2015, 13:21

OMEGA = 1995C

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

Friday, June 05, 2015, 15:59

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

TGHT = 470A, 7.7V

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min.

 Monday, June 08, 2015, 11:31

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

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

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

 Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 10:45

See attachements for 'not-fully-sintered' photos

 Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 9:16

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

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

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

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Tuesday, June 09, 2015, 15:37

HS water valves were opened. no leaks detected.

Tapped up manually to 35A.

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

 Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 08:02

IGP1 = 5.3e-7 Torr.

TGHT = 250A and TBHT = 140A.

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

John Wong wrote:

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

 Thursday, June 11, 2015, 10:55

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

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

most likely due to old TaC spray.

See link for photos.

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

John Wong wrote:

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

 Friday, June 12, 2015, 14:58

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

re-loaded into evap2.

HS water valves opened, no leaks detected.

will ramp-up over weekend.

John Wong wrote:

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 23, 2015, 10:17

vented in air and opened up this morning.

coating looks good.

loading container now...

John Wong wrote:

Tuesday, June 23, 2015, 12:21 Target container is loaded with 485 discs of SiC with packed length of 17.4cm.  Container is wrapped with 3 Ta-heat shields and previously coated/sintered with TaC. Chamber is currently being pumped down TGHT will be ramped up to 800A, ~1800C, and TBHT is limited to 230A max.  Tuesday, June 23, 2015, 15:53 HS valves are open, no leaks detected. TGHT stepped up to 70A, pressure is currently at 4.17e-5 torr and coming up.  Initiated auto-ramping at 0.5A/min for both TGHT and TBHT: good vac at 3.0e-5, bad vac at 4.0e-5 Torr.  Wednesday, June 24, 2015, 00:03 Stopped auto-ramping about 2 hours ago.   Manual stepped up TGHT to 73A.  Vac is stabilizing at 5e-8 Torr.  Will keep it at that current over night.  Wednesday, June 24, 2015, 07:41 Vac has come down to 3.6e-6 Torr. Continue to step up TGHT...  Wednesday, June 24, 2015, 23:52 It has been a super long day operating the evaporator and finally the target is up to 1800C.  Vac is coming down from 2.e-5 Torr.  TGHT is at 790A/12.61V, DV at 6.60V, TBHT at 230A/3.57V.  Omega temp reader is at 1680C - that's due to the window being coated with SiC, as expected.  Target will continue heated at that current for over night, and will start the cooling process next AM.  Thursday, June 25, 2015, 06:18   Target is holding pretty well over night.  Vac is coming down to 1.6e-6 Torr.  Initiated cooling down at 2A/min.

 Thursday, June 25, 2015, 16:09

Vented in air and took out this afternoon.

Target looks good [see photos]

Window for OMEGA fully coated from outgassing of target materials

 Thursday, June 25, 2015, 16:14

Total number of foils: 422 discs

Total mass of materials [incl graphite foils]: 

Total length packed: 12.0cm

Container has one Ta heat shield.

No endcaps inserted to allow outgassing

Two TaC coated Ta wires formed into a spring inserted either end to avoid ZrC expansion of materials.

Currently being pumped down.

 Friday, June 26, 2015, 11:44

HS water valves opened.

No leaks detected.

Initiating ramp up.

 Friday, June 26, 2015, 14:44

EVAP2 was tapped up manually to 50A.

Vacuum tripped evap off.

Tapping back up manually now...

 Friday, June 26, 2015, 15:53

Tapped up manually to 45A for both TGHT and TBHT

IGP1 = 4.8e-5 Torr

Will initiate auto-ramp at 0.2A/min and 0.1A/min for the TGHT and TBHT respectively once vacuum settled down and stable.

Max setpoints set to 520A and 230A for the TGHT and TBHT respectively.

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

 Monday, June 29, 2015, 16:17

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.

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Monday, June 29, 2015, 16:17 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.    Monday, June 29, 2015, 23:37 Opened the HS valves around 5pm.  Small leaks or just a vibration in the pipe line caused a rise in vacuum.  Leak rate is small, so allow the chamber to continue to pump down over night. Sintering process can begin tomorrow if vacuum is allowed.

 Tuesday, June 30, 2015, 08:22

IGP1 = 3.6e-7 Torr.

Tapped up manually to 40A.

Vacuum looks good.

IGP1 = 6.9e-7 Torr.

Inititating auto-ramp...

 Thursday, July 02, 2015, 09:56

IGP1 = 8.9e-7 Torr.

OMEGA = 1728C

TGHT and TBHT = 580A and 230A respectively.

Tapping up manually to 1800C.

 Thursday, July 02, 2015, 11:02

TGHT = 615A, 10.9V

OMEGA = 1800C

IGP1 = 1.1e-6 Torr.

Will continue to heat for 4hrs.

 Thursday, July 02, 2015, 15:43

Target container remained at 1800C for 4hrs50min.

Initiating auto-cool for TGHT = 2A/min and TBHT = 1A/min.

 Friday, July 03, 2015, 08:24

Vented in air and opened up this morning.

Edge of container on both ends not fully sintered [see photos]

John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: John Wong wrote: Laura Lambert wrote:  Monday, June 29, 2015, 16:17 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.    Monday, June 29, 2015, 23:37 Opened the HS valves around 5pm.  Small leaks or just a vibration in the pipe line caused a rise in vacuum.  Leak rate is small, so allow the chamber to continue to pump down over night. Sintering process can begin tomorrow if vacuum is allowed.    Tuesday, June 30, 2015, 08:22 IGP1 = 3.6e-7 Torr. Tapped up manually to 40A. Vacuum looks good. IGP1 = 6.9e-7 Torr. Inititating auto-ramp...  Thursday, July 02, 2015, 09:56 IGP1 = 8.9e-7 Torr. OMEGA = 1728C TGHT and TBHT = 580A and 230A respectively. Tapping up manually to 1800C.  Thursday, July 02, 2015, 11:02 TGHT = 615A, 10.9V OMEGA = 1800C IGP1 = 1.1e-6 Torr. Will continue to heat for 4hrs.  Thursday, July 02, 2015, 15:43 Target container remained at 1800C for 4hrs50min. Initiating auto-cool for TGHT = 2A/min and TBHT = 1A/min.  Friday, July 03, 2015, 08:24 Vented in air and opened up this morning. Edge of container on both ends not fully sintered [see photos]    Monday, July 06, 2015, 11:54 Inner tube surface isn't homogeneously sintered with TaC (see attachment).   A second coating may help.   For the re-sintering process, the target container will be wrapped with 6.2cm Ta (width) foil as a layer for heat shield on each side of the tube,  excluding the centre block - just like the same process was done last time, see e-log ID#217.   The Ta-foil and the target tube will be spaced with Ta wire coiled around it.   TGHT can be ramped up about 520A/9.1V to achieve 1900C.  Heating time for 3-4 hours until vacuum comes down to low 10-6 Torr.

 Monday, July 06, 2015, 16:28

Container has been re-coated with TaC.

Target container is wrapped with a single 15.5cm x 8.5cm Ta foil heat shield on each side of the center block, spaced with Ta wire coil.

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Tuesday, July 07, 2015, 09:36

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

IGP1 = 6e-7 Torr.

Tapped up manually to 30A.

Waited ~1hr.

Vacuum stable, IGP1 = 1.9e-6 Torr.

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

 Target container reached max setpoints of 520A/230A and 1950C ~6hrs ago.

IGP1 = 7.6e-7 Torr.

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

 Friday, July 10, 2015, 11:16

Vented in air and removed from evap2.

Again, edges not fully sintered [see photos]

Inside of container looks better, fully coated.