Sputter chamber shutters working

I worked with Ryan to check that the shutters are properly functioning and controllable through LabView.

continuing testing

so far everything checks out, now I need to hook it up to the sputter chamber and make a labview program to control the valves.

close to testing

I was delayed by some of the old solder connections on the main switch as they kept breaking off and they took a lot of time to fix when they did. Now I need to connect the power supply and test. A simple test program in lab view will be quick to make but Ryan and I will need to work out a way to make it more mistake resistant and assist me in venting the chamber to do a full test when ready.

finally some progress

Keegan helped me with some of the sputter chamber wiring. i spent lots of time figuring out that soldering is not going to work for us. so i learned about wire wrapping and got some supplies from John and it's going much better. soon we can test the USB and then make some films.

continuing on sputter system

I have continued working on the sputter system. I need to investigate wire connectors as the ones currently on the solenoid valves are not able to be disassembled. I talked with Ryan about analyzing the latest pump probe data as Joel did in his thesis. I need to finish reading the relevant sections and process the data Ryan sent me.

Out sick

I have been out sick all this week but I talked with John on Monday and he had the switch we needed lying around so he gave it to us.

not much progress

I worked with Ryan earlier this week to get the pump probe working. I talked to Ying about a circuit for the sputter control box. 480 has kept me from doing more this week.

still working on the electronics

I was busy writing a paper this week and made only minor progress with the electronics. I need to talk to John about a way to switch between labview and manual switches inside the box. Homework should be minimal now and I will get to doing pump probe.

Found a case

Now we have a case to put all the electronics to control the valves in. I need to remove some of the old components and put in the new. I will also make a lab view program that controls the valves when I get the hardware working.

sputter chamber valve control

The circuit works and the current parts should be sufficient. Pending Keith's return I will get a rack mount box from the storage room. The electronics shop should have all that I need to finish(may need to look into ordering switches for manual override but I have yet to see what all is there).

Valve control

I talked with Ying about the circuit and she was concerned about how much power the valve would draw. I will have to test it with our exact valves as she is familiar with different ones. At worst we would just need a few more of the ICs, uln2003a, to power all of our valves.

My test circuit is almost done. If all goes well I will test it with one of the unused valves or a non critical one like the sputter shutter.