Manual for 4-source evaporator

Before you go ahead, please check the following points:

• Computer on? Controller software running?
• Compressor on?
• Gate valve open?
• Machine in auto-mode?
• Temperature read-out below 16K?
• “Vent Valve” closed?
• “Source Power Disconnect” off?
• Pressure in chamber below 10^-6 torr?

If any of these checks fail, proceed to trouble shooting section or ask a more knowledgeable person.

Putting your samples into the chamber

• Undo the latch on the chamber door.
• Turn vent valve open. Green lamp above switch should turn on; you should hear the gate valve closing and the nitrogen stream into the chamber. Watch the chamber pressure rising.
• After the chamber door pops, close vent valve.
• Fill materials into the boats as needed. Make sure you put the right material into the right boat.
• Change glass slides.
• Put samples into the sample holder.
• Close door and hold it closed with your right hand.
• Hold door closed while switching on the auto-pump-down. Wait for a while. Don’t be surprised by the noise when the mechanical pump kicks in.
• Watch chamber pressure drop for a while.
• Make sure the “HOLD/PLC START” switch is in the “HOLD” position (i.e., vertical). In that position the evaporator will not begin with the actual evaporation after a certain pressure is reached. In the “PLC START” position, the evaporation will start automatically, which is good if the process is very stable. But considering that you have to consult this manual, it is probably better to leave the switch in the “HOLD” position.
• After about 15-20 minutes, the pressure should be low enough to start with the evaporation.

Programming the Evaporation Controller

• Go to “Edit” > “Process” using the mouse pointer.
• A new window with the header “Process Edit” will appear.
• Choose your process using the list supplied right below the header. A list of standard recipes is provided in the logbook.
• Go to the tab “Layer” and adjust the thickness and the evaporation rate using either the mouse or the dial knob above the mouse pad.
• If you need to edit a new process, go to the next section.
• Close the window by hitting the “CLOSE FORM” key on the left side of the display. If you changed the process, you will be asked to confirm the change.
• Switch on the “SOURCE POWER DISCONNECT”. The green lamp above it should turn on. If not, go to troubleshooting.
• Also, turn on all the needed power supplies. The respective green lamp should turn on.
• Make sure the “SAMPLE SHUTTER” is in the “AUTO” position (vertical).
• The machine is now ready for the evaporation process. Start the process by hitting the “START PROCESS” key.

Take out your sample

• Wait for sample to cool down (30 minutes).
• Undo the latch on the chamber door.
• Turn on “VENT VALVE”.
• After the chamber door pops open, close vent valve.
• Take out your sample.

• Close door and hold it closed with your right hand.
• Hold door closed while switching on the auto-pump-down. Wait for a while. Don’t be surprised by the noise when the mechanical pump kicks in.

• Watch chamber pressure drop for a while.

Remember to switch off “SOURCE POWER DISCONNECT”!

Cryo Pump Regeneration

• Purge for less than a second then close purge switch;
• Rough pump ON, Fore Line valve OPEN to pump down to 5.0x10^-2 torr;
• Close Fore Line valve and stay for 5 min.
• Repeat.
• If vacuum can stay below 7x10^-2 torr for 1 min. Ready to start cryo compressor. Make sure water flow is above 5.