LET
This page collects information that will be useful for the implementation of the IBEX control system on LET.
Background & Timeline
LET is a cold neutron multi-chopper spectrometer on TS2 at ISIS. The LET web page describes the background to the instrument.
Control System
It is proposed to migrate from the SECI control system to the IBEX control system in time for Cycle 2018/04. LET does currently use IBEX to control its SKF choppers (but that’s all).
LET Equipment
The equipment listed below is used on LET. Please add new information (e.g. new items of equipment, new notes, information about drivers, etc. to this table).
Manufacturer |
Model |
Type |
Connection |
Driver |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISIS |
DAE 2 |
Detector Electronics |
Ethernet |
||
SKF |
MB4150-G5 |
Disk Chopper |
Ethernet |
||
Astrium |
TBD |
Disk Chopper |
TBD |
.NET |
|
ISIS |
Mk3 |
Disk Chopper |
Ethernet |
.NET |
|
N/A |
N/A |
Jaws |
|||
TPG300 |
ISIS Vacuum System |
RS232 |
|||
Eurotherm |
Temperature Controller |
All models at ISIS |
RS-232 |
||
ISIS |
Orange Cryostat |
Cryogenic System |
RS-232 |
||
Oxford Instruments |
Heliox |
Dilution Fridge |
RS-232 |
||
Oxford Instruments |
Triton |
Dilution Fridge |
RS-232 |
||
ISIS |
??? |
Mezei Flipper |
|||
ISIS |
Furnace |
High temperature furnace |
RS-232 |
||
Oxford Instruments |
9T |
Magnet |
??? |
||
Oxford Instruments |
14T |
Magnet |
??? |
||
340 |
Temperature Controller |
RS-232 |
|||
ISIS |
ORC |
Collimator |
via Galil |
||
ISIS |
McLennan |
Sample Changer |
via Galil |
||
ISIS |
McLennan |
Rotation Stage |
via McLennan |
||
ISIS |
McLennan-Newport |
Rotation Stage |
via McLennan |
Note: DAE
Main Detector banks + several fixed monitors.
Note: High-Speed SKF Disk Chopper
LET currently has 2 high-speed SKF choppers (same as IMAT). These are currently controlled using a mini-IBEX system.
Note: High-Speed Astrium Disk Chopper
LET currently has 2 high-speed Astrium choppers. These are due to be replaced by 2 new SKF G5 choppers ~within 9-12 months (from September 2017).~ Latest news: The Astrium choppers will be replaced in early 2020 ~(one might even be replaced as early as August 2019).~, but more likely is chopper 5 in January/February shutdown and chopper 1 in the long shutdown.
The Astrium choppers are currently controlled by 2 VMs running on NDHLET (one VM per chopper). The VMs communicate with the choppers, via a MOXA, using a .NET connection.
Note: ISIS Disk Chopper
LET currently has 1 Mk3 ISIS chopper.
Note: Jaws
LET has no jaws.
Note: Pfeiffer
Model TPG 300, used for vacuum system read-back.
Note: Eurotherm
Eurotherms in use on LET. Used to control temperature of all top-loading CCRs, Orange cryostats, heaters and furnaces.
Note: Lakeshore
NOTE: this entry added 07-02-2019.
LET uses a Lakeshore Model 340 cryogenic temperature controller.
-
According to the Lakeshore web-site, the Model 340 is now obsolete. It has been replaced by the models 336 and 350.
Note: Orange Cryostat
Controlled via Eurotherm.
Note: Oxford Instruments
Dilution fridges: models. LET uses both Triton and Heliox dilution fridges
Triton
Triton LabVIEW Driver : C:\LabVIEW Modules\Drivers\Triton
Triton Documentation : C:\LabVIEW Modules\Drivers\Triton\Documentation
See also #2915
Heliox
The Heliox dilution fridge is currently (November 2018) broken and is being repaired at Oxford Instruments. There is no ETA on when it will be fixed. There are no experiments scheduled to use the Heliox dilution fridge. Obviously, that will change when the Heliox is repaired.
Note: ISIS 9T Chopper Magnet
ISIS 9T Chopper Magnet See also:IBEX Support for 9T chopper magnet.
Note: ISIS 14T Magnet
LET has, in the past, used the ISIS 14T Magnet. This magnet is currently being repaired and there is no ETA on when it might return to service.
Note: Mezei Neutron Spin Flipper
The Mezei Neutron Spin Flipper is a collection of devices (power supplies, signal generators & control PC) housed in a mobile rack. The control PC runs a Python script to control the power supplies & signal generators. The Python script accepts a set of simple commands. The Mezei Neutron Spin Flipper is, at the time of writing, used on LET and POLREF. In future, it may be used on other instruments too.
There is a VI to control the PSU, located here: C:\LabVIEW Modules\Instruments\POLREF\POLREF Flipper
. It was originally developed by Gareth Howells, but has subsequently been modified by students. Consult with Goran Nilsson & Andrew Caruana for more details.
N.B.: LET plans to use this device in Cycle 2018/04.
Note: ISIS High temperature furnace
Controlled via Eurotherm. Furnaces are used only very rarely on LET.
LET Notes
LET has the following specialist systems:
LET specific oscillating radial collimator. Controlled by special program downloaded into Galil.
See 2535
LET sample changer
A sample changer has not often been used on LET. From Cycle 2018/04 LET will be using a sample changer of the same design as the MERLIN sample changer (the two devices should be interchangeable).
LET rotation stage
LET has two rotation stages;
A McLennan rotation stage (same as MERLIN, used with CCRs & Orange Cryostats))
A McLennan-Newport rotation stage (used with the 9T Magnet)
LET SECI Configs
LET has a number of SECI configurations. Equivalent IBEX configs for the following combinations of equipment are required:
Eurotherm (for Cryostat or CCR) + rotation stage
Eurotherm (for Cryostat or CCR) + ORC + rotation stage
Eurotherm (for Cryostat or CCR) + dilution fridge (Triton) + rotation stage
Eurotherm (for Cryostat or CCR) + dilution fridge (Triton)+ ORC + rotation stage
Eurotherm (for Cryostat or CCR) + dilution fridge (Heliox) + rotation stage
Eurotherm (for Cryostat or CCR) + dilution fridge (Heliox)+ ORC + rotation stage
9T Magnet + McLennan-Newport rotation stage
LET Genie Scripts
LET has a number of instrument specific Genie scripts. The key scripts to be migrated to genie_python are:
Script |
Purpose |
Notes |
---|---|---|
|
It parks the choppers, of course |
Needed because LET has 4 choppers |
|
Sets chopper speed/phase |
This is the LET version of |
|
On LET user scripts are usually created by modifying an old user script. Create a template genie_python script (based on an old user script) which can be used in future.