NIST scientists have developed a new quantum-based vacuum gauge called the Cold Atom Vacuum System (CAVS) that could revolutionize the way we measure and control high vacuum conditions. Unlike traditional vacuum gauges that require periodic recalibration and are not compatible with the modern SI system, CAVS produces intrinsically accurate measurements without the need for calibration.
The CAVS system works by trapping about a million ultra-cold alkali atoms in a vacuum chamber. When these atoms collide with residual gas molecules in the chamber, they are kicked out of the trap, causing the fluorescent light emitted by the atoms to dim. The rate at which the light dims is directly related to the number of molecules in the chamber, making it a sensitive measure of pressure. This relationship is predicted by quantum mechanics, giving CAVS its inherent accuracy.
The development of CAVS has the potential to benefit numerous industrial processes that require high vacuum conditions, such as the fabrication of microelectronics, where devices lay down successive layers of chemicals only a few atoms thick. The ability to measure vacuum with greater accuracy could lead to improved product quality and reduced contamination in these processes.
NIST scientists have made significant progress in developing CAVS and its applications, with several research papers published in journals such as Metrologia, Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A, and Review of Scientific Instruments. The team has also developed a 3D-printed alkali metal dispenser and a python package for computing laser cooling physics, further advancing the technology.
While there are challenges associated with miniaturizing CAVS for deployable vacuum metrology, the potential benefits of this quantum-based vacuum gauge are significant. As research continues, CAVS could become an essential tool for measuring and controlling high vacuum conditions in various industries.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/thermodynamics/vacuum
Keywords: Fluorescence, Vacuum, Pressure, Standard, Calibration, Gauge, Metrology, Quantum Mechanics, Vacuum Chamber, Alkali Atoms
