title: Note: A simple sample transfer alignment for ultra-high vacuum systems.
abstract: The alignment of ultra-high-vacuum sample transfer systems can be problematic when there is no direct line of sight to assist the user. We present the design of a simple and cheap system which greatly simplifies the alignment of sample transfer devices. Our method is based on the adaptation of a commercial digital camera which provides live views from within the vacuum chamber. The images of the camera are further processed using an image recognition and processing code which determines any misalignments and reports them to the user. Installation has proven to be extremely useful in order to align the sample with respect to the transfer mechanism. Furthermore, the alignment software can be easily adapted for other systems.
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, J. J. Thompson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tamtögl
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, J. J. Thompson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, J. J. Thompson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, J. J. Thompson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Avidor
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, J. J. Thompson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Kole
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, J. J. Thompson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Jardine
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, J. J. Thompson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Allison