Computer control of ISOL facility at VECC

A helium-jet coupled on-line isotope separator system (ISOL) has been developed and installed at the Variable Energy Cyclotron Center, Calcutta. The basic components of the ISOL facility are an ion source, analyzing magnet, vacuum system, power supplies and detecting station. A computerized control system is being developed so that all the parameters of the ISOL facility can be controlled remotely. The parameters to be controlled are different voltage and current values of the ion source and magnets together with the sequential switching on or off of vacuum pumps. In addition the status of the voltage and current signals and vacuum conditions are to be monitored periodically. The control of the ion source parameters pose a special problem since the ion source is floated at 30kV potential. A CAMAC based system with IBM PC clone computer has been chosen as the hardware of this control system. The hardware and software details are described. 1 ref., 3 figs