Construction of the Full-Scale Tagger Microscope
Preparations for Construction of the Full-Scale Tagger Microscope
Current Work
- Determine an ideal process to assemble components of the fiber splicing unit.
- Optimize and document a reliable, repeatable process for fusing 2mm x 2mm square optical fibers using a fiber splicing unit.
- Work with James McIntyre to develop polishing, gluing, painting, and quality assurance procedures for optical fibers.
- Develop/refine a LabView program that controls a water heater and water pump based on water temperature.
A List of Specifications/Manuals for Items in Lab 405
Net Booter Quick Start Pamphlet
Ultra Black Silicone Adhesive (gasket maker)
Pictures
From Summer 2012:
LabView Program
During the summer of 2012, Ben Willis wrote a LabView program that would communicate with a NetBooter and ultimately control a heater and water pump. LabView also plots the temperature of water being heated, and plots the changing temperatures on a graph on the front panel. Before Ben left, he wrote a final report of his work on the program and in the lab in general. I have added a little to Ben's work, mostly housekeeping; deleting some non functioning commands, adding the equation to represent temperature based on voltage, adding an equation for a thermocouple, and connecting with the DAQ. I also plan to make a differential op-amp to allow the DAQ to read the inputs given by the thermocouple. In this way, we will be able to use a thermistor and two thermocouples to control the water temperature in both the straightening pipe and the bending tank.
I had found a lab manual from the University of Minnesota that gave step by step instructions for taking and recording temperature measurements using a thermistor, a DAQ, and LabView. After making the circuit and updating the LabView program it seems to be working within expected error.
Completed Work
- Clean and organize room P405.
- Hot water tank constructed - still awaiting testing
- Splicing unit collars redesigned
- A program was written to automatically control a heater/pump based on the temperature of the water.