SANS Panels

Automatic Data Collection Panel

Introduction

Automatic Data Collection panel allows the user to define an unlimited list of scans. For each scan the user can set a number of parameters such as sample properties, device positions, sample environment properties and counting time.

Picture of the Automatic Data Collection panel

Description

Components of the Automatic Data Collection panel

  1. Run List

    Displays a list of scans currently defined on the server in a table format. The table displays about 15 scans, the rest are available by scrolling. The scan which is currently running are highlighted green while scans in the queue are highlighted yellow. Scan properties defining positions of devices which are currently fixed will be overwritten by current positions of those devices. Scan properties defined for each scan:

    Stp

    STOP attribute which, if set to 1, instructs the server to stop before the scan is run. Note that the rest of properties for STOP scans are not shown.

    No

    An integer defining a unique number (title) of a scan.

    SampleLabel

    A string specifying Sample Label (max length 60 characters).

    FPrfx

    A string specifying file prefix for data file (max length 5 characters).

    CtTime

    Number of seconds per counting interval.

    Int

    Number of counting intervals.

    SamplePos

    Position of Sample Position device.

    SamplRot

    Position of Sample Rotation device.

    HbrPos

    Position of Huber Position device.

    HbrRot

    Position of Huber Rotation device.

    DetDist

    Position of Detector Position device.

    DetOffset

    Position of Detector Offset device.

    TmpSetPt

    Temperature Set Point.

    EMVolt

    Magnet Voltage.

    SCMCur

    Magnet current.

    RhPulses

    Position of Rheometer device.

    WvLgth

    Position of Wavelength device.

    WvLgthSprd

    Position of Wavelength Spread device.

    Gds

    Position of GuideTable device.

    Atten

    Position of Attenuator device.

    SrcAper

    Source Aperture diameter which is defined by the position of GuideTable.

    SampAper

    Sample Aperture diameter (measured in mm).

    BmStp

    Position of Beam Stop device.

    BmStpX

    Position of Beam Stop X device.

    BmStpY

    Position of Beam Stop Y device.

    BmCntrX

    Position of Beam Center X device.

    BmCntrY

    Position of Beam Center Y device.

    SamplThck

    Sample Thickness (measured in cm).

  2. Total Counting Time

    • Displays a total of counting time for all scans submitted for execution. Note that counting time of a scan with STOP attribute set is 0.

  3. Actions

    • Enter/Double-clicking selected scan

      Run properties window opens displaying all scan properties.

    • F16: Patch

      Allows the user to change properties of a selected range of scans.

    • F14: Initialize Runs

      Initializes the scan list which includes removing all existing scans from the list and creating the default scan that fully describes current instrument state. For SANS, default scan will contain current positions of all devices.

    • F17: Duplicate Runs

      Copies a selected range of scans into location at the end of the selected range.

    • F9: Print Full/Partial Runs

      Prints properties of all scans in a selected range.

    • Save Run Config

      Saves a selected scan that to a specified file.

    • Load Run Config

      Loads a scan from a given file into the selected range of locations in the scan list.

    • F19: Insert (Paste) Runs

      Inserts a range of scans which were previously copied into memory using F18: Remove (Cut) Runs control into a selected position in the scan list.

    • F18: Remove (Cut) Runs

      Removes a selected range of scans from the scan list and saves them in memory to be later inserted with F19: Insert (Paste) Runs control.

    • F20: Previous Menu

      Allows the user to return to the previous menu.

    • F12: Start Auto Collection

      Appends a selected range of scans to the queue for execution. The user may change scan definitions up until the moment the scan execution starts at the server. These changes will apply to already queued as well as all future executions of the scan.

    • F11: Pause Auto Collection

      Pauses data collection until the user presses Resume button.

Beam Stop Panel

Introduction

The Beam Stop panel is used to easily set a block that intercepts the primary, unscattered beam in order to protect the sensitive detector.

Description

Four beam stops of different sizes are currently available on the instrument. Based on the entered beam stop size, the system puts an appropriate beam stop in the IN position and the other beam stops in the OUT position. IN and OUT positions of individual beam stops are associated with positive and negative limit switches, respectively. When changihg beam stop size, the system ensures that the beam stop specified by the new setting is moved to the IN position before the existing beam stop is moved to the OUT position.

Two additional devices, Beam Stop X and Beam Stop Y, allow the beam-stop carriage to adjust to the exact position of the detector and the beam by driving it up and down (to account for gravity) or sideways (to account of imperfection in the tank alignment or more importantly for refraction effects that occur for example when measuring tangentially in a shear cell).

Additional Information

See also: Beam Stop, Beam Stop X, Beam Stop Y.

Collimation Panel

Introduction

The Collimation panel is used to synchronously move guides and optical elements in/out of the neutron beam.

Description

Based on the entered number of guides to be inserted into the beamline, the system puts the required number of guides into place,. The following table has its aperture put into place. The remaining guides are put into empty position.

When the number of guides is set to 0, the user has to select the aperture size for guide 0 and a lens system.

Additional Information

See also: Guide Table, Guide 1-10.

Detector Position/Offset Panel

Introduction

The Detector Position/Offset panel is used to control detector distance to the sample and the position of detector in plane transverse to beam direction.

Description

Detector Position device position corresponds to a VIPER motor position controling sample distance to the detector motor carriage. Detector Offset device position corresponds to the horizontal position of detector plane transverse to beam direction which is also controlled via a VIPER motor.

Additional Information

See also: Detector Position, Detector Offset.

Manual Operations Panel

Introduction

Manual Operations panel allows the user to move devices and change instrument properties.

Picture of the Manual Operations panel

Description

  1. Available operations

  2. Actions

    • Enter/Double-clicking selected operation

      Device properties window opens to allow modifications of device positions/properties.

    • F9: Save Current Config

      Generates a scan with current settings of global parameters and device properties.

    • F20: Previous Menu

      The user returns to the previous menu without saving scan variables.

Run Properties Panel

Introduction

Run Properties panel allows the user to view and modify a number of properties for a chosen scan. Scan properties include sample properties, device positions, sample environment properties and counting time.

Picture of the Run properties panel

Description

Components of the Run Properties panel

  1. Run Property List

    Displays a list of scan properties defined for a selected scan:

    Run Buffer Number

    An integer defining a unique number (title) of a scan.

    Sample Label

    A string specifying Sample Label (max length 60 characters).

    File Prefix

    A string specifying file prefix for data file (max length 5 characters).

    Counting Interval Time

    Number of seconds per counting interval.

    No of Counting Intervals

    Number of counting intervals.

    Sample Thickness

    Sample Thickness (measured in cm).

    Sample Transmission

    Sample Transmission).

    Sample Position

    Position of Sample Position device.

    Sample Rotation

    Position of Sample Rotation device.

    Huber Position

    Position of Huber Position device.

    Huber Rotation

    Position of Huber Rotation device.

    Temp Set Point

    Temperature Set Point (in degrees).

    Temp Set Point Error

    Temperature Tolerance (in degrees).

    Temp Hold Time

    Number of minutes to wait after reaching Set Point.

    Temp Timeout

    Maximum number of minutes to wait for Temperature to reach Set Point.

    Electromag. Voltage

    Magnet Voltage (defined to electromagnets).

    Equiv. Magnetic Field

    Magnetic Field.

    SC Magnet Current

    Magnet current (defined for superconducting magnets).

    SC Magnet Field

    Magnetic Field.

    Rheometer Pulses

    Position of Rheometer device.

    Neutron Wavelength

    Position of Wavelength device.

    Wavelength Spread

    Position of Wavelength Spread device.

    Attenuators

    Position of Attenuator device.

    Guides

    Position of GuideTable device.

    Apertures

    Source Aperture diameter (can be choosen only for 0 Guides).

    Lenses

    Lenses (can be choosen only for 0 Guides).

    Detector Distance

    Position of Detector Position device.

    Detector Offset

    Position of Detector Offset device.

    Beam Stop Size

    Position of Beam Stop device.

    Beam Stop X

    Position of Beam Stop X device.

    Beam Stop Y

    Position of Beam Stop Y device.

    Beam Center X

    Position of Beam Center X device.

    Beam Center Y

    Position of Beam Center Y device.

  2. Actions

    • F11: Back

      Current values of all scan properties are saved and run properties of the previous scan are shown. If reached the beginning of scan list, properties of current scan are shown.

    • F13: Forward

      Current values of all scan properties are saved and run properties of the next scan are shown. If reached the end of scan list, properties of current scan are shown.

    • F20: Previous Menu

      Current values of all scan properties are saved and the user returns to the previous menu.

    • Cancel

      Current values of all scan properties are NOT saved and the user returns to the previous menu.

Sample Position Panel

Introduction

The Sample Position panel is used to set sample location and position.

Description

The system determines whether the last known location of the sample was in a sample chamber welded to the post sample flight path which can be evacuated, or on a sample table located between the end of the collimation and the box used for large sample environments. Depending on this information, sample position panel displays appropriate sample position parameters.

If the sample is located in a sample chamber, sample position can be adjusted using two underlying viper motors: Sample Translation and Sample Rotation. The Sample Position value is determined by the first motor containing a horizontal translation stage which moves the sample across the neutron beam. The back-and forth translation between sample location in a changer and a motor position is automatically determined by the system. This translation scheme changes when a different Sample Changer is fitted and an appropriate value is set in software.

The Sample Rotation value is determined by a rotation stage which can be fitted to rotate the sample in the neutron beam.

If the sample is located on a sample table, sample position is controlled by motors Huber Position and Huber Rotation. In this case, the Sample Position value corresponds to the location of Huber Position device which moves the sample across the neutron beam. The Sample Rotation value corresponds to the Huber Rotation device which rotates the sample in the neutron beam.

Additional Information

See also: Sample Position, Sample Rotation, Huber Position, Huber Rotation.

Single Run Panel

Introduction

Single Run panel allows the user to define a scan with a limited number of properties such as counting time, sample properties and beam center position.

Picture of the Single Run panel

Description

  1. Run Properties

    Displays the following properties of a simple scan:

    Sample Label

    A string describing a sample (maximum 60 characters).

    File Name

    A string representing a prefix of a data file (maximum 5 characters).

    Run Number

    An integer used to enumerate data files.

    Counting Interval Time

    Number of seconds per counting interval.

    No of intervals/run

    Number of counting intervals.

    Sample Transmission

    Sample Aperture diameter (measured in mm).

    Sample Thickness

    Sample Aperture diameter (measured in mm).

    Beam Center X

    Position of Beam Center X device.

    Beam Center Y

    Position of Beam Center Y device.

  2. Actions

    • F9: Save Current Config

      Generates a scan with current settings of global parameters and device properties.

    • F12: Start Auto Collection

      Appends the scan to the queue for execution. All buttons including navigation to other panels become disabled.

    • F14: Manual Operations

      Returns the user to Manual Operations screen.

    • F11: Pause Auto Collection

      Pauses data collection until the user presses Resume button.

    • F20: Previous Menu

      Returns the user to the previous menu without saving scan variables.