ionipumppu

An ion pump is a type of vacuum pump that uses electric and magnetic fields to move ions. This movement of ions then causes neutral gas molecules to move as well, effectively pumping them out of a chamber. Ion pumps are typically used to create very high vacuums, often in the ultra-high vacuum range. They are particularly well-suited for applications where extremely clean vacuum conditions are required, as they do not have any moving parts that could outgas or contaminate the vacuum environment.

The operation of an ion pump relies on ionization. Gas molecules entering the pump are ionized, usually by colliding with electrons. These ions are then accelerated by an electric field and captured by a getter material, such as titanium. The getter material actively traps the gas molecules. Different types of ion pumps exist, including diode, triode, and differential ion pumps, each with variations in their electrode configurations and operating principles. Diode pumps are the simplest, while triode pumps offer higher pumping speeds. Differential pumps are designed to reduce backstreaming of pumped gases.

Ion pumps are commonly found in scientific research equipment, such as particle accelerators, surface analysis instruments, and thin-film deposition systems. They are also used in some industrial vacuum applications. Their advantages include the ability to achieve very low pressures, long operational life, and silent operation. However, they are not suitable for pumping large volumes of gas quickly, and their pumping speed can be affected by the type of gas being pumped.