TCHF Alternating current heater controller

It is possible to heat an optical vapor cell using a high frequency alternating current without affecting the performance of the atoms. With frequency up to 1 MHz, this heater controller minimizes the angular perturbation of atomic spins.

Here's a walkthrough to get started.

Features

• Output voltage: ±0-5 V
  • This can be connected to an audio amplifier for higher power
• Frequency: 10kHz-1MHz
• Temperature measurement: configurable for RTD or thermistor
• PI temperature controller (proportional and integral control)
• Capacitatively coulped output; zero DC current
• External modulation input

Interface

• USB port for power and communication with your computer
• SMB port modulation input
• SMB voltage output
• Screw terminal block temperature sensor interface

Software support

• TCHF command reference
• Twinleaf I/O tools
• Heater Control.exe (Compiled Windows Labview 2017); Requires LV2017 Runtime and NI VISA

Images

Configuration

When changing the temperature sensor, it is necessary to specify a reference resistance and reference temperature using the following commands:

1. Specify the sensor type using therm.sensor.type (1: RTD, 2: NTC thermistor).
2. Set the sensor temperature coefficient using therm.sensor.coef, which may be ⍺ = 0.003850 for platinum RTDs or β = 3250 for NTC thermistors obeying the Steinhart–Hart equation.
3. Set the sensor reference resistance therm.sensor.R0 in ohms.
4. Set the sensor reference temperature therm.sensor.T0 in degrees C if different from 20 C.

Ordering

TCHF-10 $1500