Development of a transportable apparatus for vacuum gauge calibration

A new ultrahigh vacuum transportable apparatus for vacuum gauge calibration in the pressure range from 10(-5) Pa-10(5) Pa is developed. On the basis of modularization design, it can be easily extended and assembled. A standard pressure p(std) with various gas species can be generated by means of pressure attenuation module which is easy to introduce the corresponding calibration gas through an orifice. The standard pressure p(std) in the range from 10(-5) Pa to 10(-2) Pa could be obtained by changing the upstream pressure from 1 Pa to 10(3) Pa with an uncertainty of approximately 2.4%. At the same time, calibration can also be performed by direct comparison with a reference gauge either in static or stationary equilibrium. The ultimate pressure could be in the level of 10(-6) Pa typically. The pumpdown characteristic and outgassing rate of the apparatus after exposing to atmospheric pressure are presented. The main metrological characteristics of the apparatus are given. The size and weight of this apparatus are 475 mm x 420 mm x 800 mm and 37.8 kg, respectively. Its calibration range is from 1.96 x 10(-5) Pa to 1.03 x 10(5) Pa with the relative combined standard uncertainty from 2.8% to 0.40%. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.