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Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- 1 Basic principles of reliability, human error, and other general issues
- 2 Mathematical calculations
- 3 Basic issues concerning hardware systems
- 4 Obtaining items from commercial sources
- 5 General points regarding the design and construction of apparatus
- 6 Vacuum-system leaks and related problems
- 7 Vacuum pumps and gauges, and other vacuum-system concerns
- 8 Mechanical devices and systems
- 9 Cryogenic systems
- 10 Visible and near-visible optics
- 11 Electronic systems
- 12 Interconnecting, wiring, and cabling for electronics
- 13 Computer hardware and software, and stored information
- 14 Experimental method
- Index
Preface
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- 1 Basic principles of reliability, human error, and other general issues
- 2 Mathematical calculations
- 3 Basic issues concerning hardware systems
- 4 Obtaining items from commercial sources
- 5 General points regarding the design and construction of apparatus
- 6 Vacuum-system leaks and related problems
- 7 Vacuum pumps and gauges, and other vacuum-system concerns
- 8 Mechanical devices and systems
- 9 Cryogenic systems
- 10 Visible and near-visible optics
- 11 Electronic systems
- 12 Interconnecting, wiring, and cabling for electronics
- 13 Computer hardware and software, and stored information
- 14 Experimental method
- Index
Summary
Most scientists who spend a significant amount of time in the laboratory are only too well aware of the amount of lost time, wasted resources, and diminished morale that result from unexpected problems that inevitably arise in research. These reliability problems include things such as sudden leaks in vacuum systems, vibrations in sensitive optics, and bugs in computer software. The purpose of this book is to help those working in the physical sciences and engineering to:
identify potential sources of unexpected problems in their work,
reduce the likelihood of such problems, and
detect and eliminate them if they occur.
Most of the problems discussed herein concern technical matters, as in the above examples. However, a significant part of the book is devoted to human errors and biases, and other similar issues.
In modern research it is common practice to employ a variety of different experimental methods, often in combination. Some – such as electronics, computing, vacuum, and optics – can be considered “core techniques,” which are widely used in many areas in the physical sciences and engineering. These are a major focus of this book. There are numerous specialized techniques used in particular research fields that can be sources of problems, but which cannot be included in a work of this size.
If one aims to cover a large range of subjects in a single volume, the depth at which they can be treated is necessarily limited.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Reliability in Scientific ResearchImproving the Dependability of Measurements, Calculations, Equipment, and Software, pp. xix - xxPublisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011