Quantum Design
Thermal Transport Option
Version 1.1.3 Build 8


About This File

This file is intended to provide preliminary information and documentation 
regarding the Thermal Transport Option Release.

Table of Contents

1. Installation
2. Release Notes
3. Features


Installation

   Insert the Thermal Transport Option CD into the D: drive and from the start menu
   Run... option enter the file name:
              D:\Disk1\SETUP
   Then press OK to start the installation process.

   Note 1: PPMS MultiVu must be installed prior to installation of the Thermal Transport
      Option.  Otherwise the installation produces and error and exits.

   Note 2: this installation will replace any existing installation of the Thermal Transport
      Option Release without regard to creation date or version.


Release Notes


Version Release 1.1.3 Build 

a) Changed
   1) Update ACTransport status at end of measurement.


Version Release 1.1.3 Build 7

a) Fixed:
   1) Invalid temperature calibration table did not display an error message.
   2) Incorrect standard error for steady state measurements.
   3) Correct calibration table if base temperature not reached.


Version Release 1.1.3 Build 6

a) Fixed:
   1) Incorrect standard error.


Version Release 1.1.3 Build 5

a) Fixed:
   1) Incorrect standard error.
   2) Single measurement no longer works.
   3) Log error if temperature exceeds thermometer calibrations.

b) Changed:
   1) Record actual measurement time for single mode measurements.

c) Added:
   1) Allow scripting to start a measurement and retrieve measure results.


Version Release 1.1.3 Build 4

a) Fixed:
   1) Sign of Seebeck incorrect.
   2) Incorrect radiation correction.
   3) Remove gain 5000 from Seebeck measurements.
   4) Reject measurements off the end of the thermometer tables.
   5) Single measurement no longer works.


Version Release 1.1.3 Build 3

a) Fixed:
   1) Sign of resistivity when thermometer leads are switched.
   2) Seebeck measurement shows as zero in datafile.

b) Changed:
   1) Default Seebeck range changed from 1000uV to 5000uV.
   2) Newer version of radiation corrections.
   3) Removed ACT gain 5000 as an option for measuring Seebeck voltage.


Version Release 1.1.3 Build 2

a) Fixed:
   1) Incorrect use of LoZ calibration factors.
   2) Measurement errors reported as zero values in the data file.

b) Changed:
   1) Equations for radiation loss in conductivity computations.
   2) Default Seebeck range changed from 500uV to 1000uV.
   3) Removed minimum Seebeck voltage as an input.

c) Added:
   1) Software revision number added to log.


Version Release 1.1.2 Build 3

a) Changed:
   1) Resistivity recool time to 3 seconds for simulation mode.


Version Release 1.1.2 Build 3

a) Fixed:  
   1) Inaccurate computations when bad measurements occur.


Version Release 1.1.2 Build 1

a) Fixed:  
   1) TTO static mode measurement freezes MultiVu.
   2) Remove zero entries from datafile when computation does not converge.

a) Changed:  
   1) Set the default min-max frequency to 17Hz for the resistivity measurement.


Version Release 1.1.1 Build 2

a) Fixed:  
   1) Prevent a software crash that occurs running single measurements in windows 98.
   2) Append to the default data file if it already exists.
   3) Display the correct data file name in the Control Center whenever a sequence 
      changes the data file.
   4) Display the correct temperature for a resistivity only measurement.
   5) Correct the scaling of the voltage signal in the waveform display.

a) Changed:  

   1) Add some noise to cold thermometer in simulation mode for a single measurement.


Version Release 1.1.0 Build 18

a) Changed:  
   1) Measurements will use the default data file if the current data file is deleted or
      renamed during measurements.


Version Release 1.1.0 Build 17

a) Fixed:  
   1) Average sample temperature computed incorrectly.  Reported value was about 
      1.5% higher than actual value.


Version Release 1.1.0 Build 16

a) Fixed:  
   1) Random problem testing the heater during a sample install.


Version Release 1.1.0 Build 15

a) Fixed:  
   1) Random problem testing the heater during a sample install.
   2) Reduce tolerance test between hot and cold thermometers during a sample install.


Version Release 1.1.0 Build 14

a) Fixed:  
   1) System dependent problem with loading AC Transport calibration file.


Version Release 1.1.0 Build 12

a) Changed:  
   1) Include a default TTO.ini file if none is provided.
   2) Measurements are disabled if the AC Transport calibration is missing or corrupt.
  

Version Release 1.0.1 Build 11
a) Fixed:
   1) Re-Activation errors when the ACMS card is in the model 6500 and the power was
      turned off and on again.


Version Release 1.0.1 Build 10

a) Fixed:
   1) Incorrect display of conductivity and Seebeck waveforms when only measuring resistivity.
   2) Temperature was not displayed in the results dialog when only measuring resistivity.
   3) Software would be in unsettled state when calibration files were missing.
   4) Occasional failure to download thermometer calibrations.
   5) Software would lock up if the DSP was in a rare failure mode.

b) Changed:
   1) Allow Seeback gain to be as low as 1.0.
   2) Allow all data (including bad fit) to be written to output file.

c) Added:
   1) Use serialized calibration files for the AC Transport unit.
   2) Install Shield will not overwrite existing calibration files.
   3) Attempt to reset DSP when a measurement fails due to DSP lockup.


Version Release 1.0.1 Build 9

a) Fixed:
   1) Problem with continuous resistivity only measurements.
   2) Problem reporting an error when large resistances are measured.
   3) Improve the error message when the ACT-xxx.cal file is missing.
   4) Show the fixed gain values in the measure resistivity dialog.
   5) Show the calibration trace files correctly in MultiVu.
   6) Remove MultiVu lockup when waiting for resistivity recool.
   7) Problems with the debug log file.

b) Changed:
   1) Allow a retest in the sample installation wizard thermometer 
      test and heater test.
   2) Remove phase in raw excitation wave form.


Version Release 1.0.1 Build 8

a) Fixed: 
   1) Better magnetoresistance correction above 16K.
   2) Occasional DSP error message when exiting the Option.
   3) Occasional problem of reusing old values in edited INI file
      when option is deactivated and reactivated.
   4) Show the time to 1/100 seconds in the log file.

b) Changed:
   1) Use 14T as the maximum field for simulation mode.
   2) Use serialized ACTrans.ini and ACT-xxxyyyzzz.cfg files.
   3) Don't use configuration/calibration files for simulation mode.
   4) Warning message for temperature inconsistencies in Install Wizard.
   5) Remove the path from the Log file in the status window.

c) Added:
   1) Hardware serial numbers to the About dialog.
   2) Diagnostic mode trace of GPIB commands.


Version Release 1.0.1 Build 7

a) Fixed: 
   1) Single measurements were waiting forever.


Version Release 1.0.1 Build 6

a) Fixed: 
   1) MR correction.
   2) Allow the option to force deactivation if a sequence is running.


Version Release 1.0.1 Build 5

a) Fixed:
   1) Single measure does not run correctly in a sequence following a continuous 
      measure.
   2) Duplicate comments written to the datafile.
   3) Random crash when deactivating option immediately after a measurement is 
      stopped.
   4) Disable measurements when a calibration is running.
   5) Disable calibrations when a measurement is running.

b) Added:
   1) Use a default datafile for the sequence when is none specified.
   2) Query the user stopping a measurement when a sequence is running.
   3) Warn the user if unable to measure hot/cold thermometers when a measurement
      starts.
   4) Record a system pressure when running in simulation mode.

c) Changed:
   1) Sample wizard will display a warning if unable to set HiVac.
   2) Sample wizard has clearer purge/seal nicer message.
   3) Suppress comment to the raw file if the raw file button is not checked.
   4) Show SIM on the main menu when a thermometer or heater file is not loaded.
   5) Load calibration files from the Config directory.


Version Release 1.0.1 Build 4

a) Fixed:
   1) Incorrect magnetoresistance correction.


Version Release 1.0.1 Build 3

a) Fixed:
   1) Incorrect magnetoresistance correction.


Version Release 1.0.1 Build 2

a) Fixed:
   1) Sequence measure command appeared as a task in the task bar.

b) Added:
   1) Magnetoresistance correction for the hot and cold thermomenters.
   2) Online help (requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later).
   3) Datafile comment to the MultiVu Measure pulldown.

c) Changed:
   1) Calibrate tool forces pot-fill mode rather than asking user.
   2) Change column title from "Ideal" to "Model" in raw file.


Version Release 1.0.0 Build 4

a) Fixed:
   1) Measure sequence command would not restore the start/stop setting when the
      sequence command was opened.


Version Release 1.0.0 Build 3

a) Fixed:
   1) Incorrect application of A/L ratio to the Seebeck Coefficient.


Version Release 1.0.0 Build 2

a) Fixed:
   1) Correctly scale the conductivity to the new A/L ratio.
   2) Update the graph when the new datafile is updated.


Version Release 1.0.0 Build 1

a) Added:
   1) Reprocess datafile with new sample properties is added to the 
      Measure/Advanced tab.

b) Fixed:
   1) Radiation temperature so that steady state and continuous measures
      agree on the radiation.
   2) Simulation mode problems with initial sample properties.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 27

a) Fixed:
   1) Problem using wrong output range when Low Resistance mode is selected.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 26

a) Changed:
   1) Add status message when waiting for Resistivity cool down.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 25

a) Fixed:
   1) Radiation correction for single measurements is incorrect.
   2) Advanced Tab Heater On does not output the specified current.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 24

a) Changed:
   1) Resistivity cool down time set to 0.5 Tau1.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 23

a) Fixed:
   1) Pause/Resume button did not reset from the Resume setting.
   2) Resistivity cool down time was 100 seconds instead of 10 seconds.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 22

a) Fixed:
   1) Record correct temp. rise in the datafile for single measurements.

b) Changed:
   1) Default number of points in calibration from 67 to 45.  This 
      reduces the calibration time from 15 hours to 10 hours.

c) Added:
   1) Show a warning status for a timeout in the steady state single measurements.
   2) Calibration Cancel will ask if the user wants to save the calibration
      data as a configuration file for the data collected (if 3 or more 
      points).  This is in addition to the normal restart feature.
   3) Optional line in INI file "Cal Temp Ratio=" defines the temperature
      ratio (<1) between calibration temperatures.  This determines the 
      number of points in the calibration table via the relation
      CTR = (MinTemp/MaxTemp)^(1/(N-1)).  The calibration time is 
      approx. 0.225 * N in hours.  Default value is 0.8844.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 21

a) Fixed:
   1) Single measure Seebeck voltage.
   2) Preserve single measure parameters in sequence files.
   3) Initialize error status at beginning of measurement.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 20

a) Fixed:
   1) Change label from Timeout to Period in single mode seq cmd.
   2) Problem with calculation of Seebeck voltage in single mode.
   3) Single mode with large std. dev. does not report an error.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 19

a) Fixed:
   1) Change default timeout in sequence measurements to 3600 seconds.
   2) Give a better error message when minimum values exceed maximum values.'
   3) Send the correct directory to multivu when viewing data files.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 18

a) Fixed:
   1) Timer problems with single measurements.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 17

a) Fixed:
   1) Sequence file command will sometimes block with a parameter error message.

b) Changed:
   1) Removed the Debug button from the main menu advanced tab.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 16

a) Fixed:
   1) Conductivity shows as zero when only resisitivity is measured.

b) Changed:
   1) Delta T in dialogs changed to Temp. Rise.
   2) Adaptive algorithm for resistivity frequency.

c) Added:
   1) Temp. Rise added to the datafile.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 15

a) Fixed:
   1) Show both temperature traces during single measurements.
   2) Countdown timer in timed measurements behaved incorrectly.
   3) Show error status in datafile.
   4) Seebeck residual was scaled incorrectly.

b) Changed:
   1) HiVac button will show the Vent button rather than the OK button.
   2) Use two digits for residual in graph plot.
   3) Standard deviation includes power correction for radiation.
   4) A poor fit sigma indicator is >0.5; a bad fit sigma indicator is >2


Version Beta 2.2 Build 14

a) Fixed:
   1) Check for divide by zero in some cases.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 13

a) Fixed:
   1) Terminate calibration faster when canceled to prevent overlap.
   2) Check if a Calibration is running before allowing another to start.
   3) Check if a Calibration is running before deactivating the option.
   4) Show version info in the About box.

b) Changed:
   1) Display a graph showing the Calibration progess.
   2) Calibration files names to <name>.cfg, <name>.dat, <name>.trace

c) Added:
   1) Allow the calibration files names to have a non-numeric suffix.
   2) Disable TTO Main form and Measure form when calibrating.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 13

a) Fixed:
   1) Incorrect heater excitation at low temperatures.

b) Changed:
   1) Re-initialize TTO when a calibration is completed.
   2) Temperature to Sample Temp in datafile.

c) Added:
   1) Show the heater drive in the heater calibration data file.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 12

a) Fixed:
   1) Cold thermometer Table does not download correctly.
   2) Check all limits in Measure and Sequence Measure dialogs.
   3) Show sample temperature in datafile when doing only resistivity measurements.
   4) Smoothing of heater table when calibrating.
   5) Show same timeout for single measurements hot and cold phases.

b) Changed:
   1) Increased timeout when waiting for temperature stability.
   2) Allow user to Vent or Seal at will without waiting.
   3) Disable graphic popup menu when doing a single measurement.
   4) Check for HiVac when starting a calibration.

c) Added:
   1) Show before and after smoothing errors in the calibration tables.
   2) Calibration puts system into standby mode when done.
   3) Restart calibration to the Main form (not fully functional yet).


Version Beta 2.2 Build 11

a) Fixed:
   1) Calibration would crash if PPMS could not attain temperature stability
      within the timeout period.
   2) Weird error message when invalid percent change data is entered.
   3) Calibration Log messages are saved continuously.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 10

a) Fixed:
   1) Random problems in simulation mode.
   2) Calibration completed, including smoothing.
   3) Error message when percent change has a bad value.
   4) Magnet error in sample installation wizard.

b) Changed:
   1) Limit current to 10 mA in the Main Advanced heater current box.
   2) Clear the Error Count messages on Reset.
   3) Limit heater power to 100 mW in all dialogs.

c) Added:
   1) View Error Count dialog from MultiVu View pulldown.
   2) Large log files > 5MB are copied to backup and truncated to 1MB.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 9

a) Fixed:
   1) Calibration is completed except for smoothing.  Fixes a severe crash.
   2) Heater power would ratchet down during errors and could not be restored.
   3) Drift in thermal conductivity for small period ratios in simulation mode.
   4) Problem with not getting the "Set" button activated when changing some
      Resistivity parameters.
   5) Resource loss when multiple hardware errors occur.

b) Added:
   1) Error count dialog shows errors since TTO was started.
   2) More error messages in the Log file when measurements fail.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 8

a) Fixed:
   1) Calibration is nearly complete.  This version will save thermometer .CFG files
      and heater .CAL files.  Corresponding Graph files (.cfg.dat, .cal.dat) are also
      created for viewing the results of the calibration.
   2) Record the measurement start time in the data file.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 7

a) Fixed:
   1) Measure dialog checking of heater power limits in dialogs.
   2) Sample install wizard
      a) did not clear previous instructions for next step.   
      b) required a wait even if temperature was OK.
      c) did not seal the chamber when sample removed.
      d) lost focus when a Browse was executed.
   3) Sequence measure commands with dT/T(%) had erratic behavior.
   4) Would get random "Acquisition not finished" messages.

b) Changed:
   1) Changed look and feel of calibration module - will perform
      calibration measurements but does not smooth or save results
      at this time.
   2) Replace exclamation mark in query dialog with a question mark.
   3) Sequence measure commands description in editor and log file.
   4) Give a status message when manual measurement begins cool down phase.
   5) Revise the progress display for the timed measurement to be more
      consistent.
   6) Remove extra resitivity measuring message.
   7) Graph labels to remove abbreviations.

c) Added:
   1) Add units to the numbers in the side panel to the graph.  Make the graph
      and the side panel have the same units.
   2) Drive limit to 200mA for measuring sample resistivity.
   3) Error message when thermometer files are missing or .INI file is missing.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 6

a) Fixed:
   1) Simulation mode would sometimes get stuck measuring.
   2) Use a more precise thermal history in the fitter.
   3) Raw conductance and conductance calculations.
   4) Possible divide by zero in steady state routine.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 5

a) Fixed:
   1) Reporting of the resistivity amplitude and std. dev. in the Main form.
   2) Sequence Change Datafile would not always work.
   3) Sequence Start/Stop measure would not always work.
   4) Adaptive excitation for resistivity could produce bad values.
   5) Incorrect error reporting for resisivity measurements.

b) Changed:
   1) Datafile Browse button no longer disabled when a sequence is started.
   2) Use avg(Thot^4) - avg(Tcold^4) for radiation computations.

c) Added:
   1) "Sample Surface Factor = 0.5" to the Tto.ini file.
   2) Zero heat point to the raw datafile at the beginning of a measurement.
   3) Cooldown time to the resistivity measurements = 1 sec < 4 tau2 < 10 sec.
   4) INFO, <TTO version> ,APPNAME to the data file to aid customer support.


Version Beta 2.2 Build 4

a) Fixed:
   1) Seebeck gain problems/crashes
   2) Random crash on resistivity reading
   3) Occasional problem with excess heater power
   4) Occasional problem with temperature stability criteria
   5) PPMS status occasionally shows a fractional value in the data file.
   6) Occasional crash when exiting MultiVu
   7) Problem stopping and starting measuring in a sequence file
   8) Problem with switching data files in a sequence

b) Changed:
   1) Radiation factor correction
   2) Use only ACTCAL.CFG in the ACTrans directory

c) Added:
   1) Sample installation wizard dialog
   2) TTO About box
   3) Raw conductance to data file
   4) Manginin leads correction for Seebeck voltage
   5) Calibration dialog in advanced options (prototype)