Vacuum Physics and Technology

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The fundamentals behind the diagrams and drawings are discussed in lectures. The lectures also provide simultaenous presentation of complementary slides. Whenever possible use is made to the presentation of theoretical and practical examples for better understanding by students.

Some practical classes have a demonstration purpose, so that students make contact with the operation of the various vacuum systems. During the laboratory sessions the students are supposed to operate the vacuum systems independently, after a briefing concerning the procedures and the aims of the proposed work.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to provide students with a broad knowledge in physics and technology of vacuum and cryogenics and allow a first contact and experience with different vacuum systems, so that students can, in future operate, acquire, assemble and maintain these kind of systems. Rather than providing a detailed training on fundamental physical processes involved, it is intended to contribute to an essentially practical and technological training in the operation and selection of different vacuum equipment and identifying the limitations that can be found in a given system.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Part I - Fundamental principles of physics and technology of the vacuum

1. Introduction.

2. The properties of gases.

3. Central vacuum system.

4. Real vacuum system.

Part II - Production and measurement of vacuum

5. Production of vacuum.

6. Vacuum measurement.

7. Leak detection.

8. Residual gas analyzer / mass spectrometers.

9. Comparative analysis of the costs of a vacuum system.

Part III - Practical training

10. Production of vacuum.

11. Vacuum measurement.

12. Practical work with presentation of report.

Head Lecturer(s)

Luís Manuel Panchorrinha Fernandes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 40.0%
Exam: 60.0%

Bibliography

A Users Guide to Vacuum Technology, J.F. OHanlon (IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center), Wiley-Interscience publication, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1980, ISBN 0-471-01624-1.

Tecnologia do Vácuo, A.M.C. Moutinho, M.E.F. Silva e M. Áurea Cunha, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Lisboa, 1980.

Ultrahigh Vacuum Practice, G.F. Weston (Philips Research Laboratories), Butterworths & Co., London, 1985, ISBN: 0408014857.