Ion getter pumps (also called sputter ion pumps or simply ion pumps) produce ultra-high vacuum (UHV) without the aid of moving parts or valves. This makes them highly effective, quiet and low maintenance.
Anyone without a deep understanding or knowledge of pumps might think that vacuum generation is simply a question of “plugging in a pump”, starting it up and waiting for the vacuum to drop to the required level.
When it comes to choosing a vacuum gauge, understanding the application and vacuum pressure measurement required is crucial to making the right choice.
But while pressure measurement plays an important role in all vacuum applications, there’s no universal vacuum gauge that will respond accurately throughout the range from atmospheric pressure to 10-12 mbar.
In our latest interview we spoke to Peter Lambertz, a Business Development Manager in the R&D Market, and one of the contributors to the Vacuum Science World knowledge platform.
With over ten years of experience in the field of vacuum science research, we discussed his background, specific interests and the challenges he has encountered in the vacuum industry over the years.
In another addition to our expert interview series, we spoke to Dr Andrew Chew, who is a Global Applications Manager in the Scientific Vacuum Sector.
In his role, he is developing customised solutions for a large number of R&D applications such as Surface Analysis, Electron Microscopy, Mass Spectrometry, and many more. Find out more about his background and involvement with vacuum technology by reading our Q&A below.
Turbomolecular pumps (TMPs) are kinetic vacuum pumps which operate using a very fast spinning rotor (usually rotating at between 24,000 and 90,000 RPM). Their typical operating pressures are in the high to ultra-high pressure range between 10-3 and 10-11 mbar, employing pumping speeds of between 10 and 4,000 l/s.
Laboratory technicians and scientists regularly use vacuum pumps (frequently of the bench-top variety) for a range of tasks including aspirating/filtering, controlling or inducing solvent evaporation in concentrators, as well as in gel driers, vacuum ovens, desiccators and rotary evaporators.
Rotary vane pumps are considered wet, positive displacement pumps, with the term “wet” denoting that the gases being pumped are exposed to oil. The significant characteristic of oil sealed rotary vane (OSRV) pumps is the use of oil as a sealant, which is not found in ‘dry’ pumps.
We are interviewing one of our contributors, Dr Saim Memon, Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at London South Bank University.
With over eight years of experience in the field of vacuum science research, we discuss his background, interest and work in the industry as well as how vacuum science has evolved over the years.
