System Upgrade

• 3 April '00 - After a number of setbacks with some formed bellows, the system is undergoing a second full bakeout. Base pressure of the previous bakeout was 3x10^-10. Residual gas analysis of the system showed H₂ only above 10^-10.
• 17 Sept '99 - The transfer tube system which connects the III-V, SPM and the Analysis chamber is mostly welded together. Inital bakeouts of the tubes have been succesful with final pressures in the low 10^-10 range. The parts have yet to be polished and were tested with minimal internal cleaning so the outlook is good. The internal track for transfering samples between the system is expected to be completed next week with a build of the entire polished and cleaned transfer tube taking place the following week. If successful the parts will attached to the existing tranfer system.