UHV Beam Diagnostics Chambers for the FAIR Accelerator Facility

Sep 19, 2024

2 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Supporting One of the World’s Most Advanced Accelerator Projects

The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) is an international accelerator facility being developed to advance research in nuclear physics, particle physics and related scientific fields. Designed to deliver beams of ions across the periodic table, as well as antiprotons, FAIR represents a major undertaking in advanced accelerator engineering.

Vacuum Techniques Private Limited (VTPL) is proud to have contributed to this prestigious project through the supply of ultra-high vacuum (UHV) beam diagnostics chambers for the FAIR beamline. This project demonstrates our capabilities in precision vacuum engineering, stringent contamination control and the manufacture of specialised chambers for demanding scientific applications.

Precision-Engineered UHV Chambers

For the FAIR beamline, Vacuum Techniques supplied high-precision beam diagnostics chambers engineered to achieve vacuum levels of 10⁻⁹ mbar without baking. Residual Gas Analysis (RGA) was performed to verify the chambers’ cleanliness and assess hydrocarbon contamination.

The chambers were manufactured in our ISO Class 10,000 cleanroom, following established UHV manufacturing procedures designed to meet the project's demanding requirements for cleanliness, dimensional accuracy and vacuum performance.

60 Chambers Across 11 Configurations

The project involved the supply of 60 UHV chambers in 11 different configurations, designed to accommodate various beam diagnostics and instrumentation requirements across the beamline.

The chambers presented significant manufacturing challenges, with lengths ranging from 500 mm to 1,300 mm and each incorporating 7 to 8 ports. Achieving the required precision across these different configurations demanded careful control of fabrication, machining and dimensional inspection.

Key project specifications included:

Vacuum performance: 10⁻⁹ mbar without baking
Quantity supplied: 60 UHV beam diagnostics chambers
Configurations: 11 different designs
Chamber length: 500 mm to 1,300 mm
Port configuration: 7 to 8 ports per chamber
Dimensional tolerances: Less than 50 microns
Flatness and ovality: Less than 20 microns
Cleanliness verification: Residual Gas Analysis (RGA)
Manufacturing environment: ISO Class 10,000 cleanroom
These requirements highlight the level of precision and process control necessary to manufacture large, multi-port UHV chambers for advanced accelerator applications.

Expertise in Ultra-High Vacuum Manufacturing

UHV systems demand more than the ability to achieve low pressures. Material selection, surface cleanliness, fabrication quality, dimensional stability and contamination control all play important roles in final system performance.

Vacuum Techniques combines specialised vacuum engineering experience with controlled manufacturing processes to produce chambers and components for demanding research and industrial applications. Our work on the FAIR beamline reflects our commitment to precision manufacturing and the stringent requirements of advanced vacuum technology.

Your Partner for UHV and High-Vacuum Chambers

From specialised diagnostic chambers to customised vacuum enclosures, Vacuum Techniques develops solutions to meet project-specific requirements for dimensions, port arrangements, vacuum performance and instrumentation interfaces.

If you require precision-engineered UHV or high-vacuum chambers for research, accelerator or industrial applications, our team can discuss your technical requirements.

Contact Vacuum Techniques Private Limited