Every modern high vacuum and ultrahigh vacuum system relies on some form of ionization gauge for pressure measurements under 10 Torr. There are currently two competing ionization gauge technologies to choose from the hot cathode gauge (HCG) and the cold cathode gauge (CCG). This application note is designed to help vacuum users choose between the two competing ionization technologies. Each gaug...

The pressure conditions in insulation vacuum systems of superconducting accelerator rings or nuclear research plants is often controlled and monitored by cold-cathode gauges (hereafter CCGs). However, due to high outgassing rates of the super insulation material foils (MLI) normally used for thermal insulation, the residual gas atmosphere is dominated by high portions of hydrocarbons. If a CCG ...

In this paper, the MEMS type ionization gauge with no X-Ray limitations has been presented. Having the dimensions of 2.4 mm× 0.8mm × 1.4 mm, the designed gauge is 9000 times smaller than the conventional type and can operate in HV and UHV pressures up to 5×10-9 torr. Operating at the temperature of 750°C, the cathode of proposed gauge is implemented using nickel and works in a way in...

Miniature ion thrusters are well suited for future space missions that require high efficiency, precision thrust, and low contamination in the mN to sub-mN range. JPL’s miniature xenon Ion (MiXI) thruster has demonstrated an efficient discharge and ion extraction grid assembly using filament cathodes and the internal conduction (IC) cathode. JPL is currently preparing to incorporate a miniature...

The quadrupole mass spectrometer is now well established as the instrument used almost universally for partial pressure measurement. This spectrometer can be considered as a hot-cathode extractor ionisation gauge with the addition of an electrostatic mass filter between the ion source and the ion collector. This filter consists of a square array of circular rods approximately 6 mm diameter and ...