Vacuum Technology

Vacuum technology, all processes and physical measurements carried out under conditions of below-normal atmospheric pressure. A process or physical measurement is generally performed in a vacuum for one of the following reasons: (1) to remove the constituents of the atmosphere that could cause a physical or chemical reaction during the process (2) to disturb an equilibrium condition that exists at normal room conditions, such as the removal of occluded or dissolved gas or volatile liquid from the bulk of material or desorption of gas from surfaces (3) to extend the distance that a particle must travel before it collides with another, thereby helping the particles in a process to move without collision between source and target (4) to reduce the number of molecular impacts per second, thus reducing chances of contamination of surfaces prepared in vacuum

The first major use of vacuum technology in industry occurred about 1900 in the manufacture of electric light bulbs. Requiring a vacuum for their operation followed, such as the various types of electron tube. Furthermore, it was discovered that certain processes carried out in a vacuum achieved either superior results or ends actually unattainable under normal atmospheric conditions. Such developments included the “blooming” of lens surfaces to increase the light transmission, the preparation of blood plasma for blood banks, and the production of reactive metals such as titanium.

Alcatel Vacuum Technology is an acknowledged world leader in vacuum solutions. Forty years of experience developing innovative products for the semiconductor, instrumentation, R&D and industrial markets have lead Alcatel Vacuum Technology to become the fastest growing company in the vacuum industry. The Alcatel Vacuum Technology product-range includes vacuum pumps, leak detectors, vacuum gauges, plasma sensors, valves, flanges and fitting. Developed and manufactured in Annecy, France, these innovative solutions renowned for their unique expertise carry the Adixen brand-name as a guarantee of high performances and cost-effectiveness.