Technical Division

Batiste JANVIER and Olivier SPIGA

• Low-frequency analog electronics (OP-AMPs, transistors)
• Digital electronics (ATMEL, MICROCHIP microcontrollers)
• Implementation of temperature sensors (PT100, thermocouples, digital circuits)
• Signal generation (DDS, MAX038, DAC)
• PID-controlled systems Automatic bench (temperature calibration and determination of PID coefficients)
• Displays (LCD, touchscreen TFT, OLED) and interfacing (USB, RS232, SPI, I2C, UDP)
• Multilayer PCB design Software development (LabVIEW)
• Imaging (IMAQ) & Optical design for alignment sensor – Automatic alignment
• Screen printing (Galva)
• Integration (SOLIDWORKS layout, component and wiring assembly)

Martial NICOLAS and Christophe BISSONAUTH

• Design of mechanical parts (CAD – SOLIDWORKS – CATIA)
• Standardized drawing (CAD – SOLIDWORKS – CATIA)
• Design of complex assemblies (CAD – SOLIDWORKS – CATIA)
• Design of parts for plastic and metal 3D printing (CAD – SOLIDWORKS – STL)
• Design of plastic injection molds (CAD – SOLIDWORKS)
• Machining of Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel, Copper, Brass, Teflon, PVC, etc.
• Conventional machining (milling, turning)
• Machining on digital machines using a HURCO VM5i machining center and a 3D printer (CAM – Conversational – GCODE)

The Technical Division was responsible for defining, designing, and implementing the opto-mechanical and electronic architecture of an experimental setup to perform photon counting and imaging using synchronized sequences with laser drivers. This development aims to enable the detection of ions in a two-species trap through fluorescence imaging and photomultiplier detection.

Figure 1 : Développements dans le cadre du projet “Piégeage d’ions à deux espèces”

We undertook the design of a PCB (Print Circuit Board) enabling the thermal coupling of a sample holder, a 4-wire PT100 probe, and a miniature heating cell known as HEATER.

This PCB (RO4350 technology) allows heating of the mentioned elements up to 280°C and needs to be enclosed within a shielding mechanism equipped with 20 BNC and HIROSE connectors.

This development has enabled the TELEM team to perform thermo-electric measurements on molecular junctions etched on samples. The obtained measurements have significantly improved accuracy.

Figure 2 : Développement électronique et mécanique projet “PCB Haute tenue en Température”

The purpose of this development is to automate the ultra-high vacuum bombardment and annealing of samples on an STM microscope chip (VT-Moke). The instrumental system, consisting of measurement and control electronics, mechanics, and the control software, was designed and implemented within the Technical Division.

Figure 3 : Développement électronique, mécanique et software dans le cadre du projet “Automate Bombardement recuit”

Given the various control systems utilized within the laboratory, the Technical Division has initiated the development of an automation system capable of regulating multiple systems (heater control, cryostat, experimental air conditioning, and continuous motor speed control). This automation system is part of a broader project aimed at developing a measurement and acquisition system for defining and controlling P, PI, PD, PID, P/PID regulation (determination of Kp, Ki, and Kd coefficients in open and closed-loop using the Ziegler/Nichols method). The alpha version of this system was developed as part of an internship by Mehdi CHELOUAH, under the supervision of their advisor.

Figure 4 : Banc de calibration des coefficients PID / Régulations de HEATER meilleures que la précision PT100 autour de 0°C (±0.15°C)

Many temperature measurements are performed as part of the research conducted by the laboratory teams. In order to achieve absolute precision, these measurements must be carried out using calibrated controllers. The Technical Division develops automation systems that allow for the measurement of various temperature sensors such as type K thermocouples or PT100/PT1000. To calibrate these sensors in conjunction with their measurement electronics, a project for an automatic calibration bench has been initiated. This project was developed by an intern in the TECHMECS professional license program, Kheireddinne ZAÏEL, under the supervision of their advisor.

Figure 5 : Banc de calibration et de caractérisation de capteurs de température associés à leur électronique de lecture

The Technical Division was tasked with the design and implementation of an instrument for supplying voltage/current (U/I) and temperature regulation of a KNUDSEN-type evaporation cell. This project involved reusing the work from the automatic determination bench of the Kp, Ki, and Kd coefficients for P, PI, PD, PID, or P/PID regulation. Additionally, this automation system was temperature calibrated on both reading channels of the type K thermocouple using the aforementioned temperature calibration bench.

Figure 6 : Développement instrumental dans le cadre du projet “Alimentation U/I et régulation en température d’une cellule de KNUDSEN”

In order to transport samples in a clean environment, an ultrahigh vacuum transfer case was designed and manufactured. The purpose of this development was to modify the sample holder so that the case could accommodate multiple samples (three) for conducting all the necessary tests within the required timeframe. To achieve this, a three-tier drawer-like storage system had to be designed. A system utilizing flexible lamella retainers was developed to prevent the samples from dislodging from their compartments during the movement of the transfer case.

Figure 7 : Conception, réalisation d’un support multi-échantillons compatible ultra-vide

The QITE team had the objective of building a new optical test bench that would include a strontium furnace operating at low pressures (P<10-7 mbar). The Technical Division was responsible for the design, construction, and vacuum sealing of the entire enclosure.

Figure 8 : Conception, réalisatio, montage et mise en vide et essais enceinte four strontium

The department undertook the design and construction of a new experimental setup for the TELEM team. The objective was to perform electrical measurements, ranging from low frequencies to microwave frequencies, on nano-circuits fabricated in a cleanroom environment, all under an applicable magnetic field in an arbitrary direction. To achieve this, the technical division oversaw the design of layered PCBs and provided advice on electronic card manufacturing. We were responsible for the design and construction of custom sample holders, as well as the positioning and motorized rotation system for the entire setup within the air gap of a magnetic field coil. This development enabled the TELEM team to embark on a new activity focused on the excitation and detection of spin waves in van der Waals heterostructures of two-dimensional materials.

Figure 9 : Suivi de conception et conseil en fabrication PCB, conception, réalisation et montage du set up expérimental FMR

As part of optomechanical experiments in a liquid medium for high-frequency cell motion detection, the Technical Division was tasked with the design and construction of two fiber holders using a so-called “elephant trunk” geometry. These holders allow for the immersion of injection and collection optical fibers into a liquid container, along with two supporting blocks that interface with the existing optomechanical setup.

The mechanical fabrication phase involved 3D printing the parts for validation prior to machining the “elephant trunks” on digital machine tools.

Figure 10 : Set up mécanique – projet CELL POOL