Dear Abbe,
I realize you're a light microscopist, but maybe you can help with this problem anyway. We have problems determining when my sputter coater's target is used up. The coatings are good for a long time, so I forget the target has a definite lifetime, then suddenly it's full of holes. How can I know when the target needs replacing before it gets too perforated?
Fenestrated in Fresno
Dear Fenestrated in Fresno,
Finally someone calls me a “light” microscopist and they're not referring to my weight. Occam's Razor is always a good guide, just don't cut yourself on it. Remove the target and place it up to a strong light and look to see if it's holey. If it is, it's used up. If you see an actual aura and you get a feeling of bliss, you've been hitting the Goldwasser too hard.
Need a good scapegoat or viable story? Herr Abbe can provide some doozies. Just contact his questionably sane assistant at johnshields59@gmail.com for a selection.
