Process for Automated, Safe MBE Start and Flux Calibration

Abstract

A command procedure has been developed for the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) computer control system that allows a user to set up the system for an automated, unattended start each morning. The automated sequence consists of- 1. A system safety check to determine if cell ramping should be allowed. 2. A cell temperature ramp to an outgassing temperature. 3. An outgassing of cells. 4. A ramp-down of cells to nominal operating temperatures. 5. An automated setup through an iterative process of flux measurements and changes of temperatures until desired targets are reached. This command procedure allows a daily, safe start-up of the MBE system and generates identical flux settings that improve the crystal growth reproducibility. Typically, one can save two hours or more of a work day by using this automated procedure.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA387894

Entities

People

  • Stefan P. Svensson

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Accuracy
  • Calibration
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Crystal Growth
  • Crystals
  • Epitaxial Growth
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Molecular Beam Epitaxy
  • Molecular Beams
  • Outgassing
  • Safety
  • Sequences
  • System Safety

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Computer Science.
  • Software Engineering.