Harvard Cyclotron pulse timer for current integrator
Date1980-1985
Inventory Number2003-1-0293d
ClassificationTimer
Subject
Maker
Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory
?
1937 - 2002
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
DimensionsNOT AVAILABLE
Material
Accessoriesfour-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); Commodore computer, keyboard (2003-1-0239e); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i)
DescriptionThe pulse timer is housed in a rectangular steel case. The case is attached to the computer rack (2003-1-0293a) just beneath the top shelf with a metal extension and two screws. In the upper right-hand corner of the front panel of the case is a switch. The up position is labeled "RUN" and the down position is labeled "STOP". Centered near the top of the front panel is a round red light. Above it is labeled "FLASHES WHEN / RUNNING" and below it is labeled "LIGHTS WHEN STOPPED". A power cord in black insulation emerges from the right-hand panel of the case and plugs into one of the power jacks along the right pole of the computer rack (2003-1-0293a). Another insulated cord emerges from the back of the case for connection to the Commodore 64 computer (2003-1-2093e).
Signedunsigned
Inscribedprinted in black on white label attached to front panel: PULSE TIMER FOR / CURRENT INTEGRATOR
Curatorial RemarksThe pulse timer for current integrator appears custom made for use with the Harvard cyclotron. It may have been constructed by the practitioners at the Harvard cyclotron laboratory themselves.
FunctionThe pulse timer was used to regulate a current integrator. A discussion of various kinds of integrators, including current integrators, is available here.
The timer was used specifically in service of the second Harvard University cyclotron. The first Harvard cyclotron, built in 1937, was disassembled and moved to Los Alamos in 1943. Richard Wilson, who worked on the Harvard cyclotrons for 47 years and documented a history of the laboratory, divides the life of the second Harvard cyclotron into three periods. The initial phase was composed of design and initial construction efforts, reaching operation at 90 MeV. During the second phase, from 1955 until 1967, the cyclotron energy was raised to 165 MeV. The third and final phase of the cyclotron, from 1967 until 2002, was largely devoted to medical treatment and research.
A version of Wilson's history of the Harvard cyclotron laboratory is available online.
The timer was used specifically in service of the second Harvard University cyclotron. The first Harvard cyclotron, built in 1937, was disassembled and moved to Los Alamos in 1943. Richard Wilson, who worked on the Harvard cyclotrons for 47 years and documented a history of the laboratory, divides the life of the second Harvard cyclotron into three periods. The initial phase was composed of design and initial construction efforts, reaching operation at 90 MeV. During the second phase, from 1955 until 1967, the cyclotron energy was raised to 165 MeV. The third and final phase of the cyclotron, from 1967 until 2002, was largely devoted to medical treatment and research.
A version of Wilson's history of the Harvard cyclotron laboratory is available online.
Historical AttributesUsed in the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory.
Panasonic
Date: circa 1985
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Commodore computer, keyboard (2003-1-0239e); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i); operating instructions manual (stored next to commodore video monitor on top shelf of computer rack)
Object number: 2003-1-0293f
Commodore International
Date: 1982-1985
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i); user's guide for commodore 64 with instructions for use, connections, installation, and service (stored next to the commodore video monitor on top shelf of computer rack); user's guide for commodore 1541 with instructions for use, maintenance, connection, installation, and service (stored next to the commodore video monitor on top shelf of computer rack); ten floppy discs stored in a cardboard box on top of external disk drive
Object number: 2003-1-0293e
Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory
Date: 1980-1985
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Commodore computer, keyboard (2003-1-0239e); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i)
Object number: 2003-1-0293c
American
Date: 1960-1980
Accessories: commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Commodore computer, keyboard (2003-1-0239e); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i)
Object number: 2003-1-0293a
American
Date: 1950-1980
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Commodore computer, keyboard (2003-1-0239e); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i)
Object number: 2003-1-0293g
American
Date: 1950-1980
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Commodore computer, keyboard (2003-1-0239e); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i)
Object number: 2003-1-0293h
Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory
Date: circa 2000
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Commodore computer, keyboard (2003-1-0239e); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h)
Object number: 2003-1-0293i
Commodore International
Date: circa 1984
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Commodore computer, keyboard (2003-1-0239e); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i); user's manual with instructions for maintenance, use, installation, and connection (stored next to monitor on top computer rack shelf)
Object number: 2003-1-0293b
Ernst Leitz (company)
Date: circa 1935
Accessories: eyepieces (2) G8x; other optical accessories, see 2003-1-0005b and 2003-1-0005c.
Object number: 2003-1-0005a
Apple Computer Inc.
Date: circa 1985
Accessories: keyboard (2003-1-0112b)
Object number: 2003-1-0112a
Olympus
Date: 1980
Accessories: eyepieces (2): WF10X; objectives (5): L60/.95 with collar, 400794, Plan 40x, 403587, Plan 20x, 405251, Plan 10x, 416546, Plan 4x, 41339; photo eyepiece (1): FK5X, 125; see also 2003-1-0044b and 2003-1-0044c
Object number: 2003-1-0044a
Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen)
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: spare viewfinder prism [2003-1-0011c]; camera [2003-1-0011b]
Object number: 2003-1-0011a
