JB Undergraduate Research Log, Fall 2013

Week 1 - I turned my focus to the testing of the active collimator. I read sections of “Quality Assurance and Acceptance Test Plan for the Tagger Microscope and Active Collimator.” There are numerous references to other documents that would help me (D0000-19-02-S003 - Specification of the active collimator and electronics), but I was unable to find them on the GlueX wiki page. I have asked Alex and Dr. Jones to acquire the file for me.

Alex looked over the write up for the piping project. I fixed various pieces according to his suggestions. I then continued reading about the active collimator. Ann Marie picked up the Tektronix TDS 2024 oscilloscope from downstairs for me. I spent some time familiarizing myself with it, as I have never worked with this particular oscilloscope before. I downloaded the pdf and spent time learning how to use it. I also started reading “A Tungsten Pin Cushion Photon Beam Monitor” to further understand the relationship between the knock-on electrons in the showering medium and the differences in the currents through the collimator that are used to pinpoint the location of the photon beam.

Week 2 - I attempted to test the tungsten pin cushions within the active collimator. I connected one of the pin cushions to a PMT-5R transimpedance amplifier, which was then connected to the oscilloscope. Dr. Jones told me to also use a F-100PS power supply. I attempted to connect the power supply to the amplifier via a F3B207-06 DB9 Belkin serial cable. However, this seemed to have made the power supply short out. I am awaiting Dr. Jones’ instructions for what to do about this matter; Neither Jim nor Ann Marie are able to help me with this problem.

I looked into buying a new F-100ps power supply. Dr. Jones and I removed the fuse from the power supply, and found that it needed replacement. I went to Mansfield Supply, and ordered a set of new fuses to place in the power supply.

Week 3 - The fuses came in. I had time to quickly test that the power supply was still functional. I replaced the fuse, and the power supply's "Power" light turned on. I was also given a set of cables used specifically for the active collimator.

Week 4 – I connected the collimator to the amplifiers to the oscilloscope for testing today. I believe that I had the correct setup, but the power supply did not turn on again. I tried unplugging the power supply from the setup and testing a fresh fuse. The “Power” light went on for a few seconds, and then dimmed out. I used an ohmmeter o verify that the other remaining fuses were working. Brendan helped me with examining the interior of the power supply for possible issues. Once we tried a third fuse, the power supply worked. I then connected the collimator to the oscilloscope and used my finger to test each pin cushion; I received a signal from each one.

After collecting the compact flash card from Brendan, I started taking pictures of waveforms from the oscilloscope. Professor Jones has instructed me to set a threshold, wait for the oscilloscope to request a trigger, and then tap the screw connected to the pin cushion in order to create a snapshot on the oscilloscope. I spent more time reading the oscilloscope manual to ensure that I understand the terminology and the full functionality of the oscilloscope.

Week 5 - Using the knowledge I gained from the oscilloscope's manual, I was able to record a few transient waveforms. Using a “good-looking” waveform, I exported the data from the oscilloscope to my computer in order to fit a decaying exponential to the wave. However, Dr. Jones notified me that I am instead looking for the time it takes for the waveform to return to its initial value, rather than its decay. I was also told to connect my computer to a unit which I can use to control the gain settings in the amplifiers.

I spent some time collecting the BNC splitter, terminal board, and DAQ. A computer must be set up in order to begin using the data acquisition program; Alex will help me get one going. Week 6 - I requested Igor Senderovich's notes on the active collimator from Professor Jones. I spent a while reading through his work, which included ActiveX programming and testing of the PMT-5R amplifiers.

I spent some time fixing my lab hours on the Google calendar. Alex has notified me that we are in need of a new computer for the data acquisition process; the computer at hand is ancient. I am awaiting this computer; until then, I will continue reading Igor’s notes and reviewing Ann Marie’s active collimator data.

I worked with Alex to build the tower I will be using in collaboration with the DAQ and the active collimator.

Week 7 - Dr. Jones has acquired a copy of Windows 7 that I can use for the tower. I installed the OS, but am running into issues when I try to start Windows.

Alex and Dr. Jones have reformatted the hard drive to IDE. This allowed Windows to successfully install. I then downloaded the drivers for the motherboard.

I installed many updates to the active collimator station. I also asked Professor Rozman for a license code for LabVIEW.

Week 8 - I have acquired Igor's LabVIEW program. There are 13 missing .vi programs. I spent some time looking for these programs on various computers throughout the lab, but ultimately learned that the missing .vi programs are "universal library" and "calab" programs, which can be found on the internet.