SEU LogoSEU Test Facility
Frequently Asked Questions
A forum to answer questions posed by our user community.

Submit A Question to the FAQ page?

smallhandWhen linking to questions, drawings or pictures, use your browser 'Back' button to return to this FAQ Page.
You can return to the top of this page by simultaneously pressing the Ctrl and Home keys.

  1. What does the User Test Board Mounting Frame look like?
  2. What does the SEUTF Positioning Stage look like?
  3. What type of vacuum feedthrough connectors are used to interface between the Test Board and my Tester?
  4. What are the cable lengths required to connect my Test Board to the vacuum feedthrough connectors?
  5. What is the operating vacuum in the Test Chamber?
  6. What is the time required to pump the Test Chamber down to operating vacuum?
  7. What size should my Test Board be?
  8. How many devices can be mounted on the Test Board?
  9. What flux and fluence are available at the SEUTF?
  10. What is the beam diameter?
  11. Which ion beams are available and how long does it take to change from one to another?
  12. How much does it cost to perform a test at the Brookhaven Tandem and how do I set up an account?
  13. How do I find out when the facility will be available and how do I schedule a test?
  14. How do I get more information?
  15. How do I get a copy of the TVDG Facility User Questionaire?
  16. Can I monitor and/or control the temperature of the board and/or device under test?
  17. Is there a requirement for the test board to have a hole to allow dosimetry measurements?
  18. Is there access to basic lab facilities such as a workbench, tools (like soldering iron, hand tools, wire, etc.)?
  19. Is it possible to obtain mating connectors and do cable fab at the fascility, if necessary?
  20. What is the radiation exposure risk at the facility - around the vacuum chamber?
  21. Is there special handling procedure required of our test board, after it has been irradiated?
  22. Do I need to be trained in radiation safety to use the facility?
  23. Who was Van de Graaff?
  24. Can I calculate my own LET values?
  25. Can I get a copy of the SEUTF Manual?
  26. How much does it cost to run at the TVDG?
  1. What does the User Test Board Mounting Frame look like?
    The following drawings of the User Test Board Mounting Frame are available:
    Test Board     Mounting Frame Without Spacers (Metric Dimensions)
    Test Board Mounting Frame Without Spacers (English Dimensions)
    Test Board Mounting Frame With Spacers Attached (Metric Dimensions)
    Test Board Mounting Frame With Spacers Attached (English Dimensions)
  2. What does the SEUTF Positioning Stage look like?
    A digital     photograph of the SEUTF Positioning Stage (52 KB GIF)
  3. What type of vacuum feedthrough connectors are used to interface between the Test Board and my Tester?
    Connectors are mounted on connector feedthrough plates. See a Drawing of a     Blank Plate.
    The connector feedthrough plates can be custom made and exchanged.
    Suitable O-rings are available at the SEU Test Facility.
    User built connector feedthrough plates should be vacuum tested prior to your scheduled experiment.

The following feedthrough plates are available at the SEU Test Facility:

Note 1: Female/female BNC connectors on plates 3, 4, and 5 can be changed to the female/female SHV connectors.

Note 2: Two connector feedthrough plates can be used at the same time.

  1. What are the cable lengths required to connect my Test Board to the vacuum feedthrough connectors?
    2-3 feet (61-91 cm) minimum cable length outside the vacuum chamber, depending on your tester.
    3 feet (91 cm) minimum cable length inside the vacuum chamber.
    2 feet (61 cm) minimum cable length inside the vacuum chamber when disabling the roll angle rotation.
  2. What is the operating vacuum in the Test Chamber?
    Typical operating vacuum in the Test Chamber is ~ 6.0 x 10-4     Torr
  3. What is the time required to pump the Test Chamber down to operating vacuum?
    Typically, it takes about 5 minutes to pump the Test Chamber from atmosphere to ~ 6.0 x 10-4     Torr
  4. What size should my Test Board be?
    Normal dimensions are 10 x 10 inches (25.4 x 25.4 cm).
    18 x 18 inches (45.72 x 45.72 cm) is possible if the test board is symmetrically mounted on the frame.
    Any dimension greater than 10 x 10 inches requires disabling the roll angle rotation.
    Working area is 6 x 10 inches (15.24 x 25.4 cm).
  5. How many devices can be mounted on the Test Board?
    There is no practical limit to the number of devices that the software can handle.
  6. What flux and fluence are available at the SEUTF?
    Normal Flux range is 102 to 107 ions/cm²/sec.
    Normal Fluence range is 103 ions/cm² to 1010 ions/cm² with test run times of 10 to 103 sec.
    Higher fluxes and fluences can be achieved with some ions using a special dosimitry system.
  7. What is the beam diameter?
    Beam diameter is continuously variable from 0.2 to 3.0 cm.
  8. Which ion beams are available and how long does it take to change from one to another?
    There are over 50     ion species available covering an LET range from 0.015 to 91. Effective LETs obtained by varying the angle of incidence can be as high as 150 MeV cm2/mg. It takes about 15 minutes to change the energy of a given beam and between 30 and 40 minutes to change to a different ion. Most of this time is spent verifying the beam species and purity.
  9. How much does it cost to perform a test at the Brookhaven Tandem and how do I set up an account?
    There are different hourly rates depending on the type of contract under which your work will be performed. Please call our business office, (631) 344 7957, to find out the rate that applies to your situation. They will also be happy to set up an account for you and to explain the payment options.
    Also see our     BNL Standard Rates for information on charges for the use of our facility.
  10. How do I find out when the facility will be available and how do I schedule a test?
    You can look at the     calendar and submit a Time Request on-line. We will then confirm your reservation by E-mail, phone or fax. If you prefer, you can also call, write, fax or e-mail and we will be happy to schedule your run the old fashioned way.
  11. How do I get more information?
    Call, write, fax or e-mail us if you didn't find all you need to know on this Web page or fill in our form to request more information.
  12. How do I get a copy of the TVDG Facility User Questionaire?
    Users are required to complete and return a     TVDG Facility User Questionaire at least 7 days prior to the start of a run. If you do not already have one, selecting the previous link will get a copy of this form to your browser. You can print it, fill it out and fax it to 631 344 4583. Alternatively you can call 631 344 4581 and request a copy by fax or mail.
  13. Can I monitor and/or control the temperature of the board and/or device under test?
    We have vacuum     feedtrough plates which can be used to hook up thermocouple wires. We also have one plate with feedthroughs for liquid cooling lines which some people have used. We also have small refrigeration circulators which you can borrow.
  14. Is there a requirement for the test board to have a hole to allow dosimetry measurements?
    No, the dosimetry is done with detectors with precise collimators placed upstream from the board. There are four stationary detectors which surround the useful portion of the beam, and a fifth one which is periodically introduced in the center position to verify uniformity.
  15. Is there access to basic lab facilities such as a workbench, tools (like soldering iron, hand tools, wire, etc.)?
    Yes, there is access to common hand tools, soldering equipment and some test equipment such as oscilloscopes,     multimeters, and supplies.
  16. Is it possible to obtain mating connectors and do cable fab at the fascility, if necessary?
    Yes, we do have blank mating connectors which match the connectors on the feedthrough plates for emergencies.
  17. What is the radiation exposure risk at the facility - around the vacuum chamber?
    Radiation is continuously monitored with redundant detectors placed in close proximity to the chamber, and the upper limit there is set     at 5 mR/hr. At the location users spend most of their time, the levels are much lower. In the rare instances when levels may approach 5 mR/hr, the tests are run from another room. Since the SEUTF can be run via remote computer, you can run all your tests from outside the target room, if you prefer.
  18. Is there a special handling procedure required of our test board, after it has been irradiated?
    Yes, our operators must inspect the irradiated parts with sensitive radiation monitors, before they can be transported. There is rarely any measurable activation.
  19. Do I need to be trained in radiation safety to use the facility?
    Users of the facility are required to be trained in basic radiation safety. Click     here for more information about this training.
  20. Who was Van de Graaff?
    A     short biography of Robert Van de Graaff is available.
  21. Can I calculate my own LET values?
    Yes. Follow     this link to the on-line LET calculator or download a personal copy of the LET Calculator program. You will need WinZip to unzip the downloaded file.
  22. Can I get a copy of the SEUTF Manual?
    Yes. You can     Download the Manual by following this link. You will need WinZip to unzip the downloaded file. The file is in Windows Helpfile format.
  23. How much does it cost to run at the TVDG?
    The cost per hour depends on your affiliation. For a more detailed breakdown of costs take a look at Section B: Other Services, Tandem Van de Graaff,     Cost per hour in the BNL Standard Rates table.


You can also checkout a description of the SEUTF

Last updated 10:44 AM 2/22/2013 ccarlson@bnl.gov

Report a bug on this page.