Physics Machine Section

The Physics Machine Section, located on the third floor (first basement level) of RLM, comprises three groups—the Machine Shop, the Cryogenics Shop, and the Electronics Shop.

Machine Shop

The main function of the Physics Machine Shop is to provide support services for Physics experimental research labs and teaching laboratories. This consists of new construction, maintenance and modification of existing equipment, and aiding with design to ensure that all components can be accurately and efficiently constructed. Many of the instruments that are constructed in the Machine Shop are unique and could not be realistically obtained from other sources. Faculty and students work directly with instrument makers when projects are in progress. This interaction, especially with students, gives the students valuable knowledge about design and techniques used to construct their instruments and how to create usable drawings.

The Physics Machine Shop is staffed with one supervisor, one administrative associate, ten instrument makers and one welder. Each project that is submitted to the shop posses different problems that challenge the instrument makers. Because of their many years of combined experience and knowledge of machinery and materials used in this department, specialized research equipment and devices are always maintained and constructed very accurately and efficiently. Our capabilities include the use of standard and specialized machine tools such as the lathe, vertical mill, drill presses, grinders, saws, metal shear, pan break, hydraulic press, computerized numerical control (CNC) mills, and hand measuring tools. Our shop has the ability to construct many identical pieces or a single piece of great complexity.

The Machine Shop also has the ability to construct and weld ultra-high vacuum (10-10 ATM cc/Sec He) vessels from materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, Mu metal, and titanium. All weldments used in vacuum applications are leak checked before being released to labs.

Students also have the option of constructing their own instruments in the Physics Student Shop. Our student shop has a full time instrument maker that supervises the daily activities making sure that all Machine Shop safety rules and procedure are followed. Each student wanting to use the shop must take a training course on proper machine tool operation. The student shop supervisor is available to assist students with design and proper material selection for projects.

Cryogenics Shop

The Physics Cryogenics Shop is an on-site resource for research and teaching labs needing various high-pressure gases and liquids, leak detection, metal deposition, and maintenance of vacuum pumps for research. Gases and liquids are available to all Physics Department students and faculty, as well as to any member of the University community.

The Cryo Shop is staffed with two technical staff members who are available to assist with dispensing of high-pressure gases and liquids. The high-pressure gases available are dry nitrogen, high-purity nitrogen, helium, argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen, and acetylene. Other products include liquid helium, which is produced on-site; and nitrogen, which is purchased from suppliers. All products are available for purchase by any member of the University community that have an active account with the Cryo Shop and are authorized to make purchases on that account. All transactions are handled by computer and billed on a monthly cycle.

The Cryo Shop has the capability to test vacuum chambers and components for leaks, using helium leak detectors for ultra-high vacuum (10 (sup-10) ATM cc/Sec He) applications. Technicians work directly with faculty, students, and other staff when preparing and testing research apparatus for leaks.

Other services include service and maintenance of vacuum pumps. Pumps that are used for research in this department can be brought here for periodic maintenance, which typically includes cleaning, changing oil, and replacing belts. Technicians also have the ability to do complete rebuilds that consist of seals, veins, reed valves, gaskets, and o-rings.

Technicians have the experience and capability to do simple metal evaporation of metals such as aluminum, copper, gold, silver, chromium, iron, magnesium chloride, tungsten oxide, lead, potassium bromide, bismuth, nickel, platinum, and tin onto substrates. The metal deposition machine has the capability of acquiring a vacuum of 5.0 × 10^-6, which limits some applications required by this department.

Electronics Shop

The Physics Electronics Shop is a valuable on-site technical resource for the Physics faculty, students, staff, and postdocs. A primary function of the shop is to provide repair and maintenance for instruments and equipment used by the Physics research groups. Consulting regarding electronic instrumentation and equipment applications and/or troubleshooting is another service provided for these clients.

The Physics Electronics Shop repairs, maintains, calibrates, and in many cases designs and constructs specialized equipment for the various Physics teaching laboratories and the Physics Lecture Demonstration group.

Many research experiments are dependent on specific legacy and custom-built equipment lacking standard service documentation and no longer supported by the original makers or third party service providers. The Physics Electronics Shop has the expertise to repair, maintain, modify, and/or redesign or find/create suitable replacements for otherwise irreplaceable specialized instruments and equipment.

The Physics Electronics Shop is staffed with very senior electronic technicians, experienced in a wide range of technologies. Combining their many years of experience, these staff members are highly skilled, very knowledgeable, and expert in determining practical applications for specialized research instruments, detectors, and other experimental devices. The Physics Electronics Shop produces practical results from both specific and vague instructions given by the graduate students and faculty. They are also knowledgeable in the numerous characteristics and properties of materials and other experiment design characteristics involving noise generation/immunity, material compatibility, vacuum and thermal properties, finding sources for unusual items, appropriate considerations for selection of instrumentation, and laboratory electrical safety requirements.

Most of the work conducted in the Physics Electronics Shop is directly related to the education of students. Students and postdocs frequently interact directly with the Physics Electronic Shop staff, thereby gaining invaluable practical knowledge about design, materials, and techniques used for their experiments. They also learn how to specify instruments that meet their needs and stay within limited budgets. This level of interaction and shared practical knowledge contributes significantly to the success of our Physics students and researchers.