In order to research and develop cutting-edge electronic products, it is necessary to create a vacuum world in which there is much less gas than in the atmosphere. In fact, the heater plays an active role in creating a vacuum in the experimental equipment. What role does the heater play in creating a vacuum?
Vacuum is indispensable for advanced technology research
In addition to information devices such as personal computers and smartphones that we use every day, the latest electronic products such as televisions and washing machines use many electronic components that use semiconductors such as memories, image sensors, and solar cells. . When researching these electronic components or producing them in a factory, it is necessary to create a vacuum environment using special machines. Why should it be a vacuum?
In order to create high-performance electronic parts by combining electronic materials such as semiconductors and rare metals, it is necessary to maximize the properties of the constituent atoms and molecules. For that reason, if other substances are mixed in during the manufacturing or synthesis process, the expected performance cannot be obtained and good parts cannot be produced. Therefore, it is necessary to create a vacuum space that is free of unnecessary molecules in the air such as oxygen and nitrogen, as well as impurities floating in the gaseous state, and we need to conduct experiments and manufacturing within that space. It also requires a much higher degree of vacuum than vacuum packs used for long-term food storage.
It takes time to create a high vacuum
The method used to create a vacuum in as short a time as possible is to hit a metal vacuum container (called a chamber).
A high vacuum for testing electronic components is created step by step. First, a low-vacuum pump, which is a machine that is similar to a vacuum cleaner, is used to create a vacuum that is about 1/1000th of the atmosphere, which is said to be about the same level as in outer space, slightly farther than the Earth's atmosphere.
A low-vacuum pump cannot create a higher vacuum. Next, a special vacuum pump is operated to create a high vacuum of 1/1,000,000 or less. By the way, even with such an extreme vacuum, there are still countless gas molecules remaining.
It takes a long time to create a high vacuum. If you start exhausted from the atmosphere, it can take from one day to several days. Therefore, it is necessary to devise ways to shorten the time and reach the target degree of vacuum.
High vacuum in a short time by heating with a heater
This is the method that heats a metal vacuum vessel (called a chamber).
The inner surface of the vacuum vessel is covered with gas molecules and oils and fats that stick to your hands during maintenance. These particles do not easily leave the surface and continue to be released gradually, which hinders the creation of a high vacuum in a short period of time. Therefore, a heater is wrapped around the outside of the vacuum vessel to warm the entire vacuum vessel. Then, the inside of the vacuum vessel is also warmed up, and the gas molecules and oils adhering to the inner surface are activated by the heat of the heater and released in large quantities, making it possible to efficiently ventilate them with a high vacuum pump. If the heating of the heater is stopped and the vacuum vessel is allowed to cool before the start of the experiment, the activation due to the heat will subside, which also reduces the amount of gas molecules, oils and fats that have adhered to the internal surfaces, allowing the vessel to be placed in a high vacuum.
A belt-shaped heater that can be easily wrapped around is used to heat the vacuum vessel. Examples include silicone belt heaters and glass cloth ribbon heaters (tape heaters). For use in cleanrooms, ribbon heaters are also available made from polytetrafluoroethylenePTFE).
Silicone Belt Heater
Ribbon heater (tape heater)
When installing, cover the vacuum vessel with aluminum foil after winding the heater so that the heat can be easily transferred throughout the container.
Please leave heater for the vacuum equipment that is difficult to wind to us
In the case of experimental high-vacuum equipment, various additional devices may be attached to the side of the vacuum vessel. Then, it is difficult to wind a standard heater because the width does not match, and there is no choice but to create a high vacuum without a heater. In such cases, please contact us.
Our heaters are handmade. Therefore, heaters of any length and width can be adapted to your needs. We accept orders from 1 piece. Our strength is that we can make custom-made heaters.
Vacuums and heaters, which are indispensable for the research and development of advanced technology, play a modest but significant role in creating a vacuum. Heaters are still used today to heat vacuum equipment in laboratories and factories, in an effort to bring future information equipment and new products to the world.
