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5PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
REMOTE ACCESS MOSSBAUER SPECTROMETER FOR EDUCATION IN RUSSIA
Bokov A.
Leading Electronics
Skobel'tsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, 1-2, 119991, Moscow, Russia
PhD Student
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Chemistry, Leninskiye Gory, 1-3, 119991, Moscow, Russia
Silaev (Jr.) A. Leading Electronics
Skobel'tsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, 1-2, 119991, Moscow, Russia
Silaev A.
Engineer
Skobel'tsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, 1-2, 119991, Moscow, Russia
Abstract
The possibility of using a human-machine interface (HMI) for conducting a nuclear physics experiment at the Skobel'tsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics of Moscow State University (SINP MSU) is demonstrated. The technical composition of the spectrometer, features of its operation and interaction with the remote user, as well as the rules of remote connection are described. More information can be found at http ://efmsb .sinp.msu.ru/
Keywords: long-distance learning, online education, blended learning, nuclear spectroscopy, Mossbauer spectroscopy
Introduction
In our time Mossbauer spectroscopy is a very important and useful method in solving applied problems in various fields of science [1, p. 1; 2, p. 1]. This method can also be used for educational purposes. In this regard, it is necessary to constantly increase the number of educational centers and laboratories. However, it is often not so easy to organize even one such center or a specialized laboratory.
In 2011, a system of remote access to the Mossbauer spectrometer of its own design was created at the SINP MSU under the state contract with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation within the framework of the federal program "Development of the nanoindustry infrastructure in the Russian Federation". The purpose of this work is provide the possibility of real-time scientific research, with a real source, for any user on the territory of the Russian Federation. In addition to everything, via the Internet, it is possible to obtain preliminary knowledge about the nature of this method. The idea of remote access to the Mossbauer spectrometer was developed taking into account the world experience of distance learning [3, p. 1; 4, p. 143]. The scientific and technical value of this device consists in the implementation of a nuclear-spectroscopic experiment with control of the parameters of the hyperfine structure of solids without direct presence in the laboratory, that is, remotely. With remote access, it is possible to control the frequency and amplitude of the vibrator, the parameters of the amplifier and the analyzer, and the rotational system for changing samples.
Creating a digital control system for spectrometric equipment, reducing its dependence on the ambient temperature, combining the generator and the signal analyzer together with the high voltage power supply unit into a single module with a common control system,
connecting the instrument part of the spectrometer to a personal computer and organizing its complete remote control via the user interface is realized in the experimental setup located in the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Moscow State University.
The Idea of Remote Access
It is known that the world's first higher educational institution, implementing the principles of distance learning, appeared in 1969. It became the Open University of Great Britain. Communication between teachers and students was carried out through correspondence and with the help of two-way radio. The very first introduction of the concept of a remote access laboratory into the learning process is the "Second Best to Being There" project, launched at the University of Oregon (USA) in 1994. Now people from all over the world can communicate with the Internet almost from anywhere in the world, and training can be carried out in real time. Therefore, distance learning is becoming more and more significant every day.
Such systems are especially important in the training of specialists for key knowledge-intensive industries, since the creation of large experimental installations requires large investments and, as a rule, are made in single copies. It is the creation of an interactive educational and scientific complex functioning in the remote access mode on the basis of the Mossbauer spectrometer of the SINP MSU was the motivational core of the work. By the way, a remote access laboratory is any educational, scientific or industrial laboratory, whose equipment is controlled remotely by means of a personal computer connected to the Internet.
The main purpose of this remote access laboratory is to use it to conduct classes as part of a student's practical work, to expand the possibilities of the educational process, to improve the quality of education in engineering and technology. The educational and scientific
Mossbauer complex of the SINP MSU is also designed for independent spectroscopic research in a remote mode by specialists from various scientific and technical fields. Thus, among the characteristic functional features of remote access laboratories, one can highlight the visibility, as well as the high scientific potential and competitive technical characteristics of experimental equipment. All these possibilities are designed not only to fully compensate for the shortcomings associated with the lack of a student or researcher in a real laboratory, but also to introduce modern trends in the educational process that significantly increase its effectiveness and inaccessible to the traditional workshop. For example, it is possible to conduct one experiment simultaneously by a large group of students, as well as the possibility to conduct an experiment with a long set
of statistics in general without personal presence in the laboratory room.
The simplest idea of a remote access laboratory is an additional functional module of a conventional laboratory installation that connects the experimental equipment to an Internet server and thereby allows you to track or monitor the flow of a real experiment from a remote point. Remote Access Mossbauer Spectrometer SINP MSU was designed to realize the goal of a completely independent remote experiment, without the participation of laboratory personnel on remote equipment through an Internet-connected computer (Figure 1). It contains fully automated mechanics and corresponding special software, as well as information modules for studying the operation of the entire system.
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Fig. 1. Scheme of remote access to the spectrometer: 1 - remote users, 2 - Internet, 3 - local user, 4 ■ spectrometer server, 5 - electronics unit; 6 - Mossbauer spectrometer.
The Experimental Technique
The experimental technique consists of several elements: the mechanical part of the spectrometer, the electronics unit and the computer equipment. The software of the complex includes a remote access server, a remote access client and a website as the main communication resource from which the user starts working with this technique.
The mechanical part of the spectrometer is designed to study materials using a robotic sampling system (Figure 2). In the process of using the spectrometer.
up to 25 samples are loaded into the system, and the user is able to work remotely with his samples at any time. To ensure this functionality, all elements of the spectrometer are devoid of mechanical control and are completely controlled from the computer. The accuracy of the mechanics is achieved through the use of modern methods of digital generation of control signals and control of the error signal from the measuring coil of the vibrator.
Fig. 2. Rotary sampling system.
The electronics module of the spectrometer con- 1 in the frequency range 1-50 Hz; a detector analyzer tains the following functional modules (Figure 3): low- having a 10-bit ADC and amplifying input signals in
voltage power supply (+12 V, +5 V, -5 V, +3.3 V); the range 1-8; communication with the computer is re-high-voltage power supply of gas-filled proportional alized via the USB-2.0 port with a maximum counting counter 0-+2100 V; a vibrator controller that provides speed of 200 kHz. Doppler modulation with constant acceleration; the possibility of motion of the source speed up to 40 mm-s"
/
Fig. 3. Internal view of the electronics unit (block sizes 26 x 16 cm).
The dimensions of the mechanical-electronic part of the installation are 700 x 400 x 320 mm, the weight is 55 kg, including lead shielding 4 mm thick from the ionizing radiation of the radioactive source.
Software and the Rules of Remote Connection
The software of the complex allows users to remotely connect to conduct remote experiments. The website contains electronic training modules, as well as the necessary information for feedback on the established rules. Due to the fact that the Mossbauer remote access spectrometer is completely automated and can be controlled from any computer connected to the Internet, for the organization of the educational process the main issue is the allocation of access time to the equipment. To conduct training sessions in the mode of remote access to equipment requires registration of a group of users led by the curator. In order to perform work on remote equipment, the group's curator submits an application through the website of the Mossbauer spectrometer and after the reconciliation procedures receives the login and password for all users of the group, as well as the time in the schedule for free access to the equipment at the time of its idle time. Before working with remote equipment, users should familiarize themselves with all the electronic training materials on the website.
Conclusion
Thus, in the SINP MSU effectively functions an automated Remote Access Mossbauer Spectrometer for the development of remote education in the Russian Federation. Organized remote access to the spectrometer from any computer connected to the Internet makes
it possible to study the fundamentals of Mössbauer spectroscopy without significant material and time costs.
Acknowledgment
This project was created within the framework of the federal program "Development of the nanoindustry infrastructure in the Russian Federation" (state contract No. 16.647.12.2044) with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The collective of authors is grateful to Sergey Konstantinovich Godovikov for the development of the idea of distance learning in the Russian Federation and for organizing work.
REFERENCES:
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