Vaccuum and Cryogenics

This course is aimed to be an introductory course to vacuum and cryogenics, dealing with the most common techniques encountered on a regular basis in-lab.

During this course, we shall review experimental techniques associated with vacuum and cryogenic technology, presenting the relevant theories and phenomenology associated with it. In particular, we shall review the inner workings and operation protocols of fundamental components employed in vacuum and cryogenics.

The course shall also have a practical element, associated with the handling of cryogenic liquids and vacuum instrumentation. This will be done in conjunction with the very capable technical body of the faculty of physics, in particular in what concerns instrumentation.

The following topics are expected to be covered during the course:

1 – Theory of perfect gases

2 – Gas flow and glow discharge

3 – Adsorption-related phenomena and molecular gasification in vacuum

4 – Vacuum pumping

5 – Mass spectroscopy

6 – Vacuum pumps

7 – Vacuum tools (detectors, manometers, fluxometers, traps, valves, …)

8 – Gas liquefaction

9 – Cooling methods

10 – Low-temperature thermometry

11 – Heat transfer

12 – Dewars and cryostats

13 – Phenomenology of superconductivity and liquid Helium

14 – Dilution refrigeration

15 – Recent developments on microkelvin techniques

16 – Hazards and Applications

The following activities are planned during the course (depending on availability of the technical body):

- Assembly/disassembly of vacuum systems

- Leak detection through mass spectroscopy

- Thin films, and glow discharge

- Cryopumping with activated charcoal

- Cryostat design considerations

The basic concepts are based on the following literature

- Cryogenics, M. McClintoch, Chapman and Hall, London 1964

- Cryogenic Engineering, B. Hand, Academic Press, London (1986)

- Experimental techniques in Low temperature physics, G. White, Claredon press (1968)

- Helium Cryogenics, S. Van Sciver, Springer (2012)

- Fundamentals of Vacuum Science and technology, G. Lewin (1965)

- Practical Vacuum systems, R. Lapelle (1972)

- The physical Principles of Ultra-high vacuum, W. Robinson (1968)

With the addition of recent publications of various journals and manufacturer catalogues for the part related to technology and instrumentation.

Understanding of vacuum technology, its interplay with cryogenics technology. Better grasp at practical limitations of cryogenic devices, low-temperature physics instrumentation, handling of different vacuum systems.

One written (50% weigh) and one oral (50% weigh) test. Grading will be 0-100. Passing requirements is grade > 50%.

Teaching methods: Board, power point, lab demonstrations.