Reliability in Scientific Research Improving the Dependability of Measurements, Calculations, Equipment, and Software
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
- References
6 - Vacuum-system leaks and related problems
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
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
- References
Summary
Introduction
Leaks in vacuum systems are an age-old and common problem in scientific research. Although they are nuisances in many situations, leaks are generally most troublesome when they appear in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) systems and cryogenic apparatus. In both cases, even minuscule leaks, which are difficult to detect and can be intermittent, may be sufficient to disable the equipment. The thermal stresses on both types of equipment can cause cracks to form in the vacuum envelopes and joints that can lead to leaks. Turn-around periods for these systems can be very long. In the case of UHV devices, bakeout of the vacuum chambers is usually required, which may take a day or more. In order to use cryogenic apparatus, one must usually cool down and warm up the equipment very slowly. Time scales for this range from about an hour to a day or more, depending on the type of equipment. Hence, the leak testing of these systems can be very time-consuming and nerve-wracking.
In the case of cryogenic systems in particular, the relative fragility of the equipment, and the presence of large thermal and mechanical stresses during the routine operation and handling of these devices, promotes the formation of leaks. In these systems, leaks may occur only when the apparatus is cold, and therefore often inaccessible to direct investigation.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Reliability in Scientific ResearchImproving the Dependability of Measurements, Calculations, Equipment, and Software, pp. 138 - 189Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011
References
and , in Handbook of Vacuum Leak Detection, W. R. Bottoms (ed.), American Institute of Physics, 1979.
, in Metals Handbook-Ninth Edition, Volume 17, Nondestructive Evaluation and Quality Control, ASM International, 1989.
, in Experimental Cryophysics, , , and (eds.), Butterworths, 1961.
, Modern Vacuum Practice, 3rd edn, , 2005. www.modernvacuumpractice.com. (First edition published by McGraw-Hill, 1990.)
and , Leak evaluation in JET and its consequences for future fusion machines, Report No. JET-P(89)57, JET Joint Undertaking, Abingdon, UK.
and , Joining Processes: an Introduction, John Wiley and Sons, 1997.
and , Experimental Techniques in Low-Temperature Physics, 4th edn, Oxford, 2002.
, in Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics at Low Temperatures, and (eds.), Addison-Wesley, 1988.
, A User's Guide to Vacuum Technology, 2nd edn, John Wiley and Sons, 1989.
, Cryogenic Engineering, D. Van Nostrand Company, 1959.
, in Experimental Cryophysics, , , and (eds.), Butterworths, 1961.
, Cryogenic Laboratory Equipment, Plenum, 1970.
, Handbook of Materials and Techniques for Vacuum Devices, American Institute of Physics, 1995.
Metals Handbook – Ninth Edition, Volume 3 – Properties and Selection: Stainless Steels, Tool Materials and Special-Purpose Metals, American Society for Metals, 1980.
, Jr., Stainless steel for ultra-high vacuum applications, Varian report VR-39; Varian Inc., 3120 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA, USAwww.varianinc.com
, in Handbook of Cryogenic Engineering, II (ed.), Taylor & Francis, 1998.
, Materials for Low-temperature Use, Oxford, 1978.
, in Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics at Low Temperatures, and (eds.), Addison-Wesley, 1988.
and , in Methods of Experimental Physics – Volume 14: Vacuum Physics and Technology, G. L. Weissler and R. W. Carlson (eds.), Academic Press, 1979.
, , , and , Building Scientific Apparatus, 3rd edn, Westview Press, 2002.
, Jr., in Methods of Experimental Physics – Volume 14: Vacuum Physics and Technology, and (eds.), Academic Press, 1979.
, CERN Accelerator School Vacuum Technology, Proceedings (CERN 99–05), (ed.), CERN, 1999, pp. 139–54.
, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 9, 2025 (1991).
, Ultrahigh Vacuum Practice, Butterworths, 1985.
,1250 Arthur E. Adams Drive, Columbus, Ohio. www.ewi.org
, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge. www.twi.co.uk
, Smithells Metals Reference Book, 6th edn, Butterworths, 1983.
and , in Methods of Experimental Physics – Volume 14: Vacuum Physics and Technology, and (eds.), Academic Press, 1979.
, Soldering Handbook, 3rd edn, American Welding Society, 1999.
, Vacuum Sealing Techniques, American Institute of Physics, 1994.
, , and , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 36, 563 (1965).
and , in Cryogenic Fundamentals, (ed.), Academic Press, 1971.
Metals Handbook – Ninth Edition; Volume 6 – Welding, Brazing and Soldering, American Society for Metals, 1983.
, Solid State Technology, September 1985, p. 153.
, in Cryogenic Engineering, (ed.), Academic Press, 1986.
, Matter and Methods at Low Temperatures, 2nd edn, Springer, 2002.
, , and , Adv. Cryo. Eng. 30, 311 (1984).
and , 4 K tensile measurements of different solder alloys, Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe (now Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe) Internal Report, Contract 5183/90 of Project EW-293607, Oct. 1990.
, , and , J. Elect. Pack. 123, 105 (2001).
, Experimental Techniques for Low-Temperature Measurements: Cryostat Design, Material Properties, and Superconductor Critical-Current Testing, Oxford University Press, 2006.
and , Soldering in Electronics Assembly, 2nd edn, Newnes, 1999
, , , and , J. Low Temp. Phys. 132, 309 (2003).
, in Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics at Low Temperatures, and (eds.), Addison-Wesley, 1988.
, in Interactions in Ultracold Gases: From Atoms to Molecules, and (eds.), John Wiley & Sons, 2003.
and , in Cryogenic Engineering, (ed.), Academic Press, 1986.
, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 6(4), 2584 (1988).
, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 5(3), 390 (1987).
, in Encyclopedia of Applied Physics – Volume 23, , , and (eds.), Wiley-VCH, 1998.
and , J. Low Temp. Phys. 101, 587 (1995).
, Practical Cryogenics: An Introduction to Laboratory Cryogenics, Oxford Instruments Superconductivity Limited, Old Station Way, Eynsham, Oxon, England, 2001. www.oxford-instruments.com
and , Cryogenics 30, 77 (1990).
, and , in Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics at Low Temperatures, and (eds.), Addison-Wesley, 1988.
, Advances in Cryogenic Engineering 41, 1783 (1996).
, in Proceedings, IEEE Thirteenth Symposium on Fusion Engineering; Cat. No. 89CH2820–9, , , and (eds.), IEEE (1990), pp. 360–363.
, , and , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 48, 357 (1977).
, AIPE Facilities 22, No. 1, 41 (1995).
and , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 56, 329 (1985).
, Cryogenics 3, 65 (1963).
, Experimental Innovations in Surface Science: a Guide to Practical Laboratory Methods and Instruments, Springer-Verlag, 1998.