Hardware

The extraction components include diode & CO2 lasers, getters, a cryotrap, and integrated motion, vision, and vacuum systems that are controlled by LabVIEW software written by Jeremy Hourigan of UC Santa Cruz (Hourigan does system automation on a consulting basis via Santa Cruz Laser Microfurnace).  The bulk of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and He analyses are performed using a Noblesse magnetic sector mass spectrometer controlled by Visual Basic software provided Nu Instruments.  A Pfeiffer Prisma quadrupole mass spectrometer used for some He analysis.   Further refinement of the control system is currently underway.