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.
Components of the Automatic Data Collection panel
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:
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.
An integer defining a unique number (title) of a scan.
A string specifying Sample Label (max length 60 characters).
A string specifying file prefix for data file (max length 5 characters).
Number of seconds per counting interval.
Number of counting intervals.
Position of Sample Position device.
Position of Sample Rotation device.
Position of Huber Position device.
Position of Huber Rotation device.
Position of Detector Position device.
Position of Detector Offset device.
Temperature Set Point.
Magnet Voltage.
Magnet current.
Position of Rheometer device.
Position of Wavelength device.
Position of Wavelength Spread device.
Position of GuideTable device.
Position of Attenuator device.
Source Aperture diameter which is defined by the position of GuideTable.
Sample Aperture diameter (measured in mm).
Position of Beam Stop device.
Position of Beam Stop X device.
Position of Beam Stop Y device.
Position of Beam Center X device.
Position of Beam Center Y device.
Sample Thickness (measured in cm).
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.
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.
The Beam Stop panel is used to easily set a block that intercepts the primary, unscattered beam in order to protect the sensitive detector.
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).
See also: Beam Stop, Beam Stop X, Beam Stop Y.
The Collimation panel is used to synchronously move guides and optical elements in/out of the neutron beam.
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.
See also: Guide Table, Guide 1-10.
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.
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.
See also: Detector Position, Detector Offset.
Manual Operations panel allows the user to move devices and change instrument properties.
Available operations
Change/Initialize Sample POSITION/ANGLE
Changes Sample Position and Sample Rotation devices.
Select/Move BEAMSTOP
Changes Beam Stop, Beam Stop X and Beam Stop Y devices.
Change/Initialize DETECTOR DISTANCE/OFFSET
Moves Detector Position and Detector Offset devices.
Change/Initialize WAVELENGTH
Changes Wavelength and Wavelength Spread devices.
Change/Initialize ATTENUATION
Moves Attenuator device.
Change/Initialize COLLIMATION
Changes Guide Table device.
Change/Initialize Sample TEMPERATURE
Changes Temperature controller properties.
Change/Initialize Sample Magnetic FIELD
Changes Magnet controller properties.
Monitor Count Rate/Transmission MEASUREMENT
Measures monitor rate.
Activate/Deactivate RHEOSANS
Changes Rheometer device.
Change/Initialize Timeslice INTERVAL
Sets the duration of time slices for histogramming of the detector system.
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 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.
Components of the Run Properties panel
Run Property List
Displays a list of scan properties defined for a selected scan:
An integer defining a unique number (title) of a scan.
A string specifying Sample Label (max length 60 characters).
A string specifying file prefix for data file (max length 5 characters).
Number of seconds per counting interval.
Number of counting intervals.
Sample Thickness (measured in cm).
Sample Transmission).
Position of Sample Position device.
Position of Sample Rotation device.
Position of Huber Position device.
Position of Huber Rotation device.
Temperature Set Point (in degrees).
Temperature Tolerance (in degrees).
Number of minutes to wait after reaching Set Point.
Maximum number of minutes to wait for Temperature to reach Set Point.
Magnet Voltage (defined to electromagnets).
Magnetic Field.
Magnet current (defined for superconducting magnets).
Magnetic Field.
Position of Rheometer device.
Position of Wavelength device.
Position of Wavelength Spread device.
Position of Attenuator device.
Position of GuideTable device.
Source Aperture diameter (can be choosen only for 0 Guides).
Lenses (can be choosen only for 0 Guides).
Position of Detector Position device.
Position of Detector Offset device.
Position of Beam Stop device.
Position of Beam Stop X device.
Position of Beam Stop Y device.
Position of Beam Center X device.
Position of Beam Center Y device.
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.
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.
See also: Sample Position, Sample Rotation, Huber Position, Huber Rotation.
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.
Run Properties
Displays the following properties of a simple scan:
A string describing a sample (maximum 60 characters).
A string representing a prefix of a data file (maximum 5 characters).
An integer used to enumerate data files.
Number of seconds per counting interval.
Number of counting intervals.
Sample Aperture diameter (measured in mm).
Sample Aperture diameter (measured in mm).
Position of Beam Center X device.
Position of Beam Center Y device.
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.