Project Gallery

Before 2008, only a small sampling of project documentation photographs are available.
(Filing cabinet drawers contain schematics, mechanical details, data sheets, and other documentation reach back decades)

Fabrication Projects:

By image

By description

• 10-yy High isolation multiplexor and resistance measurement half-bridge. The MUX utilizes high isolation relays to select between 8 thermistor/bolometer sampls being tested and a reference resistor. The half-bridge circuit contains a reference resistor and leads to the MUX output, plus excitation driver amplifers and high impedance, switchable gain instrumentation amplifiers driving external DACs.
• 10-xx SQUID Biasing Current Source. Digitally controlled current sources powered by batteries. Digital control is isolated optically. Resolution significantly greater than 16 bit is achieved.
• 10-31 Piezo driver Multiplexor. The computer controlled relay MUX delivers signal amplitudes up to several hundred volts to piezo stimulators used in neurological studies of animals. The embedded programmable logic device permits arbitrary patterns of outputs to be programmed.
• 10-16 Plasma Hall Retrofit for Physics 111 Lab. The redesigned system preserves the 'floating measurement' feature of the original electronics. Floating electronics once powered by batteries is now powed by a high isolation DC-DC converter scheme. Highly insulating layout features are implemented wherever reduction of leakage currents is improtant.
• 09-19 LN2 Dispensing Interlocks for the Chemistry department Three interlock/remote-control panels combine safety related permission information with scale subsystem information that enable dispensing subsystems. A user swipes an ID card, sets dispensing target and depresses a "start" button to initiate filling. Automatic filling stations latch on until the scale target volume is reached or the automatic shut-off condition occurs. Thermal sensors, or oxygen depletion sensors disable filling and sound warnings.
• 09-16 Phase delay board; A widget board for signal processing. The boards may be mounted side-by-side behind a panel with the power bussed from board to board with wire jumpers at the back of the board.
• 09-06 A collection of interface boards for development of photolithography techniques (for the Mechanical engineering department). Functionality includes lvds in to ecl out (differential level shifter), lvds in to lvttl out (line receiver), lvttl in to level shifted differential out, and an interface between FPGA board signals and a non-standard flex cable connector.
• 09-04 The latest spin of the Physics 111 Lab's Thevenin
  This hands-on board for helps students learn Thevenin's Theorem.
• 08-10 Digital Inclinometer Mezzanine board
  This module plugs onto a socket on an IceCube Digital Optical Module Main Board which reads attitude (orientation) data from the ADIS16209 accelerator/inclinometer chip. The modules were integrated into DOMs produced in the summer of 2009, and shipped to Antarctica in September via New Zealand. The bulk of the "iDOM" boards will be deployed into the IceCube array in the summer 09-10 season where they will produce data for up to 25 years (the projected life of IceCube). The data will improve the understanding of the flow of the ice sheet over Antarctica.
• 08-08 Scanning Tunneling Microscope Piezo Probe Tip Driver
  The PTR delivers shaped voltage pulses which are applied to a piezoelectric crystal coupled to a probe tip. The deflection of the piezo crystals move the probe tip by utilizing Newton's first law of motion between static and moving friction. This design supersedes 97-01, a line voltage powered Thyristor driver unit.
• 07-49 Low noise current source for Budker group.
• 07-19 LN2 Dispensing Interlock/Supervisor
  The supervisor feature consists of key switches to enable dispensing from two subsystems.
  The interlock features disable dispensing if the subfloor floods with water, or if sufficient LN2 spills to activate the thermostat below the floor. The upgrade/mitigation was prompted by a relatively high level of attention required, and the less than entirely smooth operation of the system, as well as some safety concerns mentioned here.
• 04-32 Levitator demonstration for the Physics 111 Lab
  Hold a steel ball a controlled height above a resting post with magnetic field. A photodetector/LED pair senses location and provides feedback for current control.
• Nulling Controller for Materials Study
  The unit controlls parameters needed to make precision measurements of a sample chilled to liquid nitrogen temperature.

Other Project samples:

See Sample Gallery for examples of custom research equipment

Page updated 9/21/09 gtp