Acquisition of Hyperthermal Atomic Oxygen Source
Abstract
The objective of this grant was the acquisition of a hyperthermal atomic oxygen (AO) source that is of critical importance to a Multi-University Research Initiative (MURI) on the fundamental mechanisms of materials degradation in the low earth orbit (LEO). ("Simulations of Fundamental Degradation Process in Space Environments", PI: J. C. Yang, MURI Contract #: F49620-O1-1-0336). A Physical Sciences, Inc. (PSI) FASTTM (Fast Atom Sample Tester) source was specially designed for portability with an ultra-high vacuum exposure chamber and delivered to University of Pittsburgh in October 2003. The portability of this FASTTM AO source allows the utilization of unique experimental tools located at different sites. This system has now been improved so that the best base vacuum is 4x1O(-9) torr. A room temperature sample stage has been built, a dual head quartz crystal monitor (QCM) system has been installed for in situ weight loss. A sensitive Mettler balance was purchased in order to measure total weight changes. All of these items have been installed and working since May 2004. Present experiments are being performed on Si, Al, Ag and Au single crystals and thin films.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 11, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA425922
Entities
People
- Judith C. Yang
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh