Neutron Sciences 2008 Annual Report - 17.79 MB - Spallation ...

Software Development
As in previous years, software development
was a top priority for our group. New control
software for a variety of new sample environment
setups, including magnetic environments
and dual-zone temperature controllers,
was used in a number of experiments.
Motor software was extended to interface
with a new robot sample changer for the
Liquids Reflectometer and a sample positioning
hexapod system for the Magnetism
Reflectometer. Python scripting was expanded
to allow more complex sequencing of multivariate
experimental scans. The figure on p. 64
shows how additional real-time views of the
scattering data were made available on user
computers, providing users with more feedback
on the progress of the experiment. New
SPICE drivers were written to allow the use
of SNS detector electronics at HFIR. The first
of these upgraded systems, for the Four-Circle
Diffractometer, is now in the commissioning
phase.
The main highlight for the group was the
technology transfer of the SNS LPSD detector
electronics system, Pharos, to GE Reuter-
Stokes (see “Year in Review”). This success
allowed us to focus more efforts on new
technologies. Two of these new design efforts
are now in the testing phase. The first of these, a
peripheral component interconnect express (PCI-e)−
based data transfer card, allows the use of newer
motherboard designs without the requirement of
legacy PCI-x slots. The second, a new Ethernet-based
interface card, will allow the use of our own detectors
in lower-count-rate systems without the need of
a PCI card.
As we continue work on these technologies, we look
forward to another year of developing the best new
software and hardware to meet the needs of the neutron
sciences users and staff.
Contact: Rick Riedel (riedelra@ornl.gov)
FACILITY DEVELOPMENT 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
New Ethernet interface
board allowing greater
flexibility in the use of
neutron scattering detectors.
ORNL NEUTRON SCIENCES The Next Generation of Materials Research
65
FACILITY DEVELOPMENT