On-line control of ionic collision experiments with a laboratory computer

Abstract

A system for controlling an ionic collision experiment and, simultaneously, acquiring data on an on-line basis using an 8-bit, Indian-made, Apple II + type laboratory computer is described. The system is capable of (i) producing a number of analogue voltage ramps to control electrostatic lenses, energy analysers and other experimental variables under software control; and (ii) simultaneously, acquiring either analogue or digital data from detectors, pressure-monitoring devices and other sensors. The system includes a line printer, 4-colour plotter and a floppy disc drive for hard copy output of data.