Cryogenic vacuum valve with actuation times down to 50 ms

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Vacuum Technology
• Cryogenics

Background:

• Maintaining extreme vacuum conditions (below 10⁻¹⁵ hPa) is crucial for experiments involving sensitive samples like highly charged ions.
• Connecting ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems to less demanding vacuum environments often requires specialized valves that can operate reliably under extreme conditions.
• Current cryogenic valves may not offer the speed or magnetic field compatibility required for dynamic experimental cycles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, build, and test a novel cryogenic vacuum valve.
• To achieve rapid valve operation (50 ms) suitable for dynamic experimental needs.
• To ensure valve functionality in strong magnetic fields and extreme vacuum environments.

Main Methods:

• Development of a cryogenic valve capable of sealing a Penning trap at liquid-helium temperature.
• Integration of the valve between a room-temperature ion beamline (10⁻⁹ hPa) and a cryogenic trap ( < 10⁻¹⁵ hPa).
• Characterization of valve performance, including opening/closing times and vacuum integrity.

Main Results:

• Successful operation of a cryogenic vacuum valve with response times as short as 50 ms.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain vacuum better than 10⁻¹⁵ hPa within the cryogenic trap.
• Valve confirmed to operate reliably in strong magnetic fields and across various duty cycles.

Conclusions:

• The developed cryogenic vacuum valve significantly enhances experimental setups requiring temporary connections between extreme vacuum and less demanding environments.
• Its rapid operation and robust design improve efficiency in experiments involving repeated cycling.
• This technology is vital for long-term storage and manipulation of highly charged ions in UHV conditions.