Expert Manual

Messing with the innards

• Opening and closing the dewar
• Installation and removal of radiation shields
  
• Installation and removal of focal plane
• Changing optical filters and lens
  

Pumping out/Venting and Cooling/Warming

• Pumping out and venting the dewar
  
• Cooling down
• Warming up
• Leak checking (sort of)
  

Electronics Setup/Breakdown

• The electronics backpack
• The lockin and DAS racks
• Power supply and signal cabling of electronics backpack and lockin/DAS racks
  
• Configuration of electronics for various modes
  

The Fridge

• Setting up fridge cabling and power supplies
• Explanation of operation of fridge heater supplies
• Recovering from a failed fridge cycle

Instrument Testing

• JFET testing
• Optical efficiency/dewar loading measurement
• Electronics noise testing

Setting up for Observing

• Optics box installation/removal
  
• Rotator installation/removal
• Optical alignment
  
• Dewar installation/removal
• Attaching the bolometer power and readout cabling
• Attaching the telescope interface cabling
• Attaching the rotator interface cabling

Unmounting and Warming Up

• Dismounting Bolocam from optics box
• Lifting Bolocam up to third floor
• Warming up (see also PumpingOutVentingCoolingWarming)
  

Data Acquisition, Rotator Control, Data Handling

• bolometer DAS
• rotator controller
• interactions between telescope, DAS, and rotator controller
• collecting the data streams
• merging the data streams
  

Preparing for Observing

• logging in to alpha1
  
• designing a scan strategy
  
• using the dewar rotator
  
• calibration suggestions
  
• adding sources to the UIP catalogs
  

Analysis Software

• installing the software pipeline
• configuring the pipeline
• running the pipeline
• running diagnostics
• using the pipeline automation scripts to run the analysis automatically in semi-real-time
• analyzing the focus and pointing study data and implementing the pointing correction
  

Data Archiving

• local tape archiving
• archiving your data for transfer to your home institution

Troubleshooting

Quick Links

• Bolocam array/wedding cake checkout sheet, pdf.
• Bolocam fridge wiring table, pdf.
  

• 2004/01/10 SG
  Created
  
  
• 2004/01/29 SG
  Add links to get back to main page.
  
  
• 2004/02/03 SG
  minor mods
  
  
• 2004/04/23 SG
  Add section on Preparing for Observing
  
  
• 2005/06/03 SG
  Add JFET testing to Instrument Testing section
  
  
• 2005/07/12 SG
  Add Unmounting page
  
  
• 2007/03/06
  Add checkout sheets.