An ion vacuum is a vacuum created by an ion pump. The ion pump works by chemically reacting with air and sucking up the molecules. The process is similar to a candle experiment where water is sucked up in proportion to the amount of oxygen in the air. When there is no more gas, the electrical resistance between the anode and cathode increases, confirming that pumping has completed.
There are a few different types of ion pumps. One type is the standard diode pump, which has a chemically active cathode. The other type is the orbitron ion pump. The ion pump can also be used for ultra-high vacuum. In many cases, a combination of these two types of pumps is necessary to achieve the necessary vacuum levels.
The ion pump can also be used to supply high vacuum to a variety of scientific instruments. For example, a miniature ring-orbitron getter ion pump is being developed for use in advanced instruments. These instruments are expected to become available in the coming years. Ion microscopes, ion mass spectrometers, and instruments based on electron probes are all examples of advanced instruments that use ion vacuums.
Another type of high-vacuum ion pump is the noble diode pump. This pump uses a chemically reactive cathode and an additional tantalum cathode to increase the pumping efficiency of noble gases. The diode pump is the more expensive of the two types, but it provides superior vacuum and long-term stability.
In the semiconductor manufacturing process, the ion pump is a common option to create ultra-high vacuum in semiconductor equipment. The ion pump is able to reach ultra-high vacuum levels without the use of oil or a noisy compressor. In addition, these pumps are very compact, and even the largest models can fit on a desk.