When working with high vacuum (HV) and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems, there are specific aspects to consider, to make sure they remain efficient and safe.
What are High Vacuum (HV) and Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) conditions?
- HV pressure ranges are those between 10 x 10-3 and 10 x 10-7 mbar.
- UHV pressure ranges are those between 10 x 10-7 and 10 x 10-12 mbar.
As with all vacuum systems, the established standards, rules, and protocols that govern vacuum factors and matters must be frequently re-examined and re-engineered.
Users should routinely:
- Check vacuum levels
- Review the pump setup
- Perform safety checks
- Evaluate measurement methods
- Undergo leak detection processes
Applications
HV applications include:
- Metallurgical processes
- Nuclear physics
- Space simulations
- Analytical instruments
UHV applications include:
- Surface analysis
- High-energy physics
- Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)
Factors to consider when creating HV and UVH conditions
Efficiency considerations
Users should carry out a careful assessment of design, materials, and the condition of the vacuum system to identify problem areas. HV and UHV vacuum system efficiency can be improved by following several best practices:
- Minimize the chamber’s internal surface area.
- Weld only from the inside.
- Use low desorption/outgassing rates.
- Pre-treat materials — for example, undergo electro-polishing.
- Check for internal gaps or trapped volumes, like tapped blind holes.
- Use metallic seals.
- Reduce the number of seals and feed-throughs.
Outgassing
Gas load
How do I know my operating conditions?
Pump selection considerations
There are many pump types capable of producing HV and UHV vacuum pressure, and most applications require multiple pumps working together. However, pairing different types of vacuum pumps to optimize performance is not always a simple matter.
Several factors impact the choice of pumps, such as:
- Noise and vibrations
- Initial and ongoing costs
- Contamination tolerance
- Footprint
- Maintenance requirements
- Shock resilience
Pump options
Understanding pump types
Summary
When creating HV and UHV conditions, it is crucial to consider these three factors: efficiency, working condition considerations, and pump selection.
If you're finding selection tough, check out our blog post, How Do I Know Which Vacuum Pump Is Right For Me?
With the help of resources like these, an approach that focuses on the key elements of working condition considerations, efficiency and pump selection will keep you on the path to delivering optimum performance and reliable HV and UHV conditions.
And if you've got questions, just reach out!
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