 Mon Apr 21 16:56:42 2025, Michael, Update, Interferometer Simulations, Fixed Observed Squeezing Curve for Toroidal Mirror Case 
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We've resolved the issue with the observed squeezing curve for the toroidal mirror case showing worse performance at lower frequencies and better performance
at higher frequencies compared to the nominal case. This issue was caused by the beam parameter at the squeezer being fixed before changing the radii of
curvature of the mirrors. This has been changed to be fixed after changing the mirrors, and we see an improvement in the toroidal mirror case. |
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Tue May 2 17:03:14 2023, Jon, Cao, Physics, VAC, First pump-down test of vacuum chamber
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[Jon, Cao]
1. Re-routing of cables
We re-routed the connections between the turbo pump and its fan to the controller. Instead of going through the side of the server rack, they |
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Tue Apr 15 11:37:17 2025, Cynthia, Update, Interferometer Simulations, Finishing up mirror coating map step
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Fri Jul 28 18:03:07 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, Final plot - FLIR
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[Pamella]
I was able to plot the final result with the data to the heater. I attached below the "3Combined_HighTemp_Gaussian_Plot." in
this plot we can see better behavior on the Gaussian compared to the plot in ELOG 169, I was using the same data but with a different approach. On the
ELOG 169, we have the center point isolated data and this new plot is the temperature more than 70 C isolated because we have a very good heater temperature |
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Tue Feb 18 10:12:39 2025, Tyler, Update, TCS, Final RIN Plot Update
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Below is a preview of the final RIN figure that will be included in the FROSTI instrument paper. A quick summary of what is shown below:
The original RIN CSD measurement is shown on the top panel in red. Frequency bins that exhibit external electronics noise (ex. ADC, photodetector
noise, etc.) are identified and shaded in gray. These noisy bins are then excluded from the dataset before beginning the next step in the analysis process: |
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Wed Oct 16 14:13:31 2024, Liu, Update, , FROSTI with non uniform absorption scattering sources
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| Slides |
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Tue Sep 30 12:26:15 2025, Liu, Update, Interferometer Simulations, FROSTI optimization for A#
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Wed Mar 6 09:57:52 2024, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI Wiring
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Upon finishing the FROSTI assembly last week, we ran into some electrical issues. An electrical short was found between two of the d-sub pins (2 and
8). It appears that the pins were somehow coming into contact with the aluminum surrounding them. This was causing the power supply to trip. The issue
was seemingly fixed by adjusting the positioning of the cabling leading out of the reflector. When handling the device in the future, please make sure |
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Thu Jul 2 14:46:19 2026, Xuesi, Update, , FROSTI Reflector Design
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Update on the FROSTI reflector design
slides |
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Tue Jul 1 11:04:00 2025, Christina, Update, TCS, FROSTI Reconstruction II
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[Ma, Tyler, Christina]
Finished external reconstruction of the FROSTI by installing all the pins to the 2 DB 25 connectors. To ensure everything
was operating correctly, we did electrical testing by testing continuity and by checking each of the heater elements' RTD and power resistance values and
comparing them to what was tabulated in January. Additionally, we organized the wires and added the stands. |
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Fri Jun 27 15:38:22 2025, Christina, Update, TCS, FROSTI Reconstruction
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[Tyler, Ma, Christina, Luke]
We threaded the wiring of the heater elements through the reflective surfaces and were able to attach each piece with the Macor spacers and
connect both sides. We used the guide rails and screws to ensure proper alignment. The only necessary step left is to add the additional external screws |
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Wed Dec 18 15:41:56 2024, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI RIN
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[Tyler]
I have begun the (hopefully) final RIN measurements at 3:30 PM today. If you need to go into the cleanroom at any time between now and Sunday
(the 22nd), please do not touch the FROSTI, the Red Pitaya, the photodetectors, or any of the wiring. |
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Sun Mar 24 11:49:27 2024, Aiden, Update, General, FROSTI RGA Scan
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Took RGA data 1 day after the conclusion of Bake 13. Bake 13 ended on Saturday March 23, the RGA data shown was taken on Sunday March 24. The scan shows
that the FROSTI is very clean with no outgassing. The HC levels are at 25 e-10. The pressure in the chamber was also a 1.64 e-8 Torr. |
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Fri Jan 17 13:27:07 2025, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI Pre-disassembly
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[Tyler, Ma, Cece, Jon, Luke, Cynthia, Michael]
On Tuesday, we prepared the FROSTI for disassembly in anticipation of the APS filming that is set to
take place in the labs. The FROSTI has been unbolted from the optical table in the cleanroom, with its wires weighted down and the majority of its screws
removed to ensure an easy removal of the reflectors during the filming process.
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Tue Mar 19 15:22:27 2024, Aiden, Update, Clean & Bake, FROSTI Legs Clean and Bake
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[Aiden, Luke]
Cleaned and baked the Cal Tech FROSTI legs and showed Luke the procedure on how to clean parts. |
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Wed Oct 2 14:49:59 2024, Liu, Update, , FROSTI ETM actuation
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Proposed FROSTI ETM actuation on the HOM7 resonance.
Animation |
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Wed Jan 22 10:50:08 2025, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI Disassembly
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[Tyler, Ma, Cece, Luis, Shane, Luke, Cynthia, Liu, Jon]
On Tuesday (Jan 21), we took the FROSTI apart in front of a filming crew. It was a success!
The footage is going to be used in an APS video detailing the experimental cosmology research conducted in the department.
The FROSTI reflectors, heater elements, and legs were all bagged separately and a currently being stored in the cleanroom. If you need to do |
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Mon Dec 11 16:20:17 2023, Jon, Summary, TCS, FROSTI Assembly Procedure
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Below is the procedure we will follow to assemble the FROSTI prototype.
Install SS guide rods and bottom Macor spacers in bottom reflector
Install AlN elements on top of bottom Macor spacers
Install
upper Macor spacers on top of AlN elements
Feed unterminated power and RTD leads through slots in upper reflector
Install upper reflector, |
 Wed Feb 28 17:49:18 2024, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI Assembly - Days 2-3
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[Aiden, Jon, Luis, Luke, Michael, Tyler]
FROSTI assembly was completed today. The RTD and power wires were terminated at the DB-25 connectors and
the legs were put on. It is currently placed in front of the stand-in test mass (~5 cm away). The FLIR has also been moved back to it's nominal position.
As of now, it appears there are some shorts within the power cabling. This will be a focus of tomorrow's work.
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Mon Feb 26 21:23:27 2024, Jon, Update, TCS, FROSTI Assembly - Day 1 7x
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[Jon, Tyler, Luis, Luke, Mohak, Cynthia, Michael, Aiden]
FROSTI assembly began today. After a final set of RGA scans were taken, the vacuum chamber
was vented and the reflectors were removed. The chamber was then resealed and pumped down again.
Today we completed the installation of the Macor hardware and heater elements between the two reflector halves. Tomorrow we will route, bundle, |
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Tue Mar 25 12:56:47 2025, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI Analysis Finalization
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Upon final review of the FROSTI analysis included in the (hopefully) soon-to-be submitted instrument paper, I've made some adjustments to the reflectivity
analysis that estimates the amount of power delivered to the test mass by the FROSTI. Initially, as detailed in elog
447, the delivered power was approximated to be 12.6 W (later adjusted to 12.9 W), with roughly 18% of this power being reflected by the test mass. |
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Tue Aug 5 12:21:04 2025, Liu, Update, Interferometer Simulations, FROSTI A# optimization
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| A# multi-ring FROSTI optimization |
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Thu Jan 8 12:51:03 2026, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI A# Update 01/08/2026
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| Slides |
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Thu Jan 22 14:06:00 2026, Xuesi Ma, Update, TCS, FROSTI A# Reflector Update
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| Slides |
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Thu Jan 15 13:52:55 2026, Xuesi Ma, Update, TCS, FROSTI A# Reflector Update
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| Slides |
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Thu Dec 4 12:10:19 2025, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI A# Profiles and Element Width Optimization
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| Slides |
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Thu Dec 18 12:51:13 2025, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI A# Profiles Update
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| Slides |
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Tue May 5 12:58:53 2026, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI A# Profiles 05/07/2026 Group Meeting
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Slides detailing the incorporation of minimizing
curvature overlap between FROSTI and ring heater actuation profiles. |
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Thu Nov 20 13:54:34 2025, Tyler, Update, TCS, FROSTI A# Optimization and Mesh Convergence Analysis
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| Attached below are slides discussing FROSTI A# Irradiance optimization and mesh convergence analysis for penetration depth. |
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Mon Jun 12 12:15:10 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR- Take data in the closest point.
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[Pamella]
Used the closest point possible for the reflector in front of the FLIR camera.
11:32 am : Turned on the electronic device
(current on) for started taking data.
11:50 am: Started checking the temperature and the parameters.
12:04 pm: Started taking snap
after waited for 30 minutes with the current on. Parameters: Current: 0.13A , Volt: 1.8V and Temperature: 51.4 C.
Note: This snap is in the |
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Wed May 31 16:55:55 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR- Focus distance
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[Pamella and Tyler]
We changed the FLIR Focus Distance for around 0.55 m.
Note: The old focus distance was 1.3 m.
We
tested this new focus distances and looks good. I attached a snap below.
Parameters: 0.1 A , 1.5 V and 38.4 C.
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Thu Jun 8 14:51:58 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR- Distance
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[Pamella, Tyler]
Today we change the distance between the FLIR camera and reflector (3D-Mask with mirrors and light). Now the distance is
0.2032 m.
Note: This distance is just for take a snap most close possible but we need move again for a little far way because in this distance
we can't move up and down the reflector for have data to compare.
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Wed May 24 14:06:27 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR project - Tests
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[Pamella]
Initial tests
10:30 am : Started trying take some test with the new position/configuration between the 3D reflector-mask
and the FLIR camera.
10:41 am : Started running the python code and take a snap. Parameters: 0.10 A, 1.4 V.
10:50 am : Started take
the snap.It is possible see the triangles, this is a good thing. Negative thing: The middle/center point for the light maybe would be some problems for |
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Thu Jun 1 14:41:36 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR project - Test without the black wall.
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[Pamella]
Test without the black wall.
General test:.
11:15 am : Started running the code. Parameters: 0.11 A, 1.9V and
focus distance around 0.55m.
11:28 am : Started snapping the screen. Parameters: 0.12 A, 1.8V and 44.1 C .
First trying:
01:18 pm : Started testing and collection data. Parameters: 0.09 A, 1.4V. Reference position: (0,0).
01:28 pm : Started snapping the screen. |
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Fri Jun 2 14:28:40 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR project - Test without the black wall.
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[Pamella]
Test without the black wall.
Note: So today i collected data for some positions in axis Y (height) for starting
analyses and compares the triangles shapes. I tried keep the same parameters every time.
First position:
01:20 pm :
Started testing and collection data. Parameters: 0.10 A, 1.6V. Reference position: (0,0.05).
01:30 pm : Started snapping the screen. Parameters: |
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Tue May 23 16:52:56 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR project - Reinstalling the mask and Reconfiguration FLIR position.
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[Pamella]
Reinstalling the mask and Reconfiguration FLIR position.
Today i change the aluminum foil inside the 3D mask. After some
tries i was able to have a better shape for the triangles.
I reinstalled the connections (the light with the thermometer point). Also i checked
for the focal point inside the reflector, looks fine.
I did a reconfiguration for the initial tests, without the black wall. I moved the FLIR |
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Thu Jul 6 18:03:19 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR project - New configuration
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[Pamella]
Cao suggested using the project without the reflector and mask because in this case we probably got good images around the screen. So I started
this yesterday and today I started to get some data to see the stabilization position and check how the parameters fluctuated. I was looking and taking
snaps for an hour and a half. I'll repeat this one more time to make sure we have enough data to do analysis.
To do: The next step is to start |
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Mon May 22 17:08:50 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR project - Installing the mask.
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[Pamella]
The new mask for the reflector.
1:40 pm: Started reconfiguration on the FLIR camera project. Changed the
old bridge for the new mask-bridge.
2:00 pm: Started figure out the best way to cutting the aluminum foil with the new mask. Unfortunately,
I had been some problems for cutting the perfect shape triangles with the mask because the size inside the triangle is different (smaller) than cutter/knife, |
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Wed Mar 29 16:00:36 2023, Pamella, Update, Cameras, FLIR project
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Today Pamella and Tyler started work in the updates for the FLIR project.
We trie for the first time cover the mirrors with aluminum foil and run the
code with this.
We work in figured out how the python codes works with real datas.
To do:
Understand how get the real datas and how to compere that
with the old datas.
Starting test with the FLIR and mirrors with aluminum foil in with the power on.
Testing the FLIR camera more times with the mirrors |
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Wed Apr 19 17:39:50 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR project
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FLIR project updates- Initial tests
10:00: Starting test in position 2 cm to the black wall.
Parameters : 0,305
A, 05,5 V and the temperature inside the mirrors 141,8°C.
10:23 Finished this first tried and take snap. The image is attached below.
The name for the picture for this tried is “AcquisitionImage(Apr-19-2023_10 23)”.
10:37. Starting test in another position |
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Mon Jul 3 18:38:13 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR project
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[Pamella]
I was able to work on the python code to do analysis on the FLIR-Reflector data.
I could plot images of total area (Tyler
help me on that) with csv file and also could have isolation area for triangles. I have attached examples below. Just for now the images are of different
data, so there are some differences in the shapes.
I'm working on getting a complete analysis code to work with the different positions of the |
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Mon Sep 16 14:59:51 2024, Tyler, Update, TCS, FLIR RIN Update 09/16
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Below is the dark noise spectrum of the Red Pitaya, which was measured over the course of a weekend. Additionally, I have successfully measured a signal
from the photodetectors with the FROSTI as the IR source, so it seems there shouldn't be any worry of these particular detectors not being feasible for
the RIN measurement. |
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Thu Jun 2 21:55:02 2022, Jon, Update, Cameras, FLIR Camera Setup
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The new FLIR A70 infrared camera has arrived. Tyler and I unpacked it in the lab yesterday. In less than an hour, we succeeded in powering it on and
connecting it to the lab network. We have assigned it the static IP address 192.168.1.6.
Online Configuration Portal
The FLIR camera can be configured, as well as stream live data, through a web browser interface. It can |
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Fri Jun 3 13:03:33 2022, Jon, Update, Cameras, FLIR Camera Setup
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Summary
I have installed the requisite software on chimay for interfacing the FLIR A70 camera in Python. There are two packages required from
FLIR:
Spinnaker SDK, which provides the low-level camera drivers and a C/C++ API.
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Mon Jun 6 17:11:48 2022, Jon, Update, Cameras, FLIR Camera Setup
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Today I tested the Spinnaker/PySpin software installations (detailed in ELOG #4) with the FLIR
camera connected to chimay. It works!
Example codes
I was able to run several of the PySpin example codes. In particular, there is one which connects to the camera and streams |
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Mon Oct 23 11:28:05 2023, Tyler, Update, Cameras, FLIR Camera Code Updates
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The past week I've been spending time going through the FLIR code on gitlab. Initially, it had appeared that our measurements with the camera had differed
about 2 degrees C from what the thermocouple was giving (Ref ELOG 181). Upon inspection of the FLIR streaming code, I noticed a few issues:
1. The emissivity
value wasn't set correctly (was 0.999 originally, should be about 0.95).
2. The ambient temperature was set to about 21.6 C (71 F).
3. The distance given |
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Tue Jul 4 15:35:38 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR - reflexion problem
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[Pamella]
I was testing all the positions we need to cover when moving the FLIR camera or the reflector. I tried to find out more about the problem so
I tested the position without the mask, just with the old bridge and I got the same problems, in the middle of the screen we have a very good image but
if we move we have the visualization problem and we don't see the reflection very well (intensity, emissivity) in FLIR.
For this test I used very low |
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Mon Jun 19 11:20:57 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR - Fixed some problems
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[Pamella]
08:59 am: Turned on the electronic device (current on) for started taking data.
09:37 am: Tried understanding the
error in the focal point. I realized the pillars was in the wrong place and because of that we got problems to keep the reflector in the correct position
to FLIR focus.
09:58 am: Started checking the temperature and the parameters.Changed the pillars to the original position (0.5645m) just |
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Fri Jun 16 16:17:13 2023, Pamella, Update, FLIR, FLIR - Change the position
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[Pamella]
Today I change the distance between the FLIR camera and reflector (3D-Mask with mirrors and light). Now the distance is 0.3282 m.
Note: In this distance is possible move up and down the reflector and take data to compare.
The focal point inside the reflector keeping
like little problem, every time I tried adjust this I got some triangles is not with "perfect emission" (looks like different than the others). Also if |
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Wed Mar 22 12:16:20 2023, Jon, Infrastructure, Cleanroom, Experimenting with HEPA fan speeds
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Jon, Cao
In effort to try to reduce the noise level inside the cleanroom, we have dialed all four HEPA fan-filter units (FFUs) down from HIGH to MEDIUM
speed. These dials can only be accessed from inside the cleanroom, by bringing in the large ladder and opening adjacent ceiling tiles. |