Capacitive Sensors in Vacuum

Capacitive Sensor TechNote LT03-0021

Copyright © 2007 Lion Precision. www.lionprecision.com

Summary

This TechNote describes considerations for using capacitive sensors in vacuum applications including:

• Outgassing
• Feed-Thru Connectors
• Low-Pressure Arcing
• Probe Generated Heat

Capacitive Sensors in Vacuum

Outgassing

The problem with outgassing.

Any substance subjected to high-vacuum has the potential to release trapped gasses. These gasses can cause oxidation or contamination of surfaces in the vacuum environment. Depending on the application, outgassing may cause significant damage to the process or equipment. High-vacuum materials in Standard Probes and processes are designed to minimize or eliminate outgassing.

Probe construction materials that minimize outgassing

The primary materials in standard probe construction are the metal body, epoxy, PEEK, conductors, and cabling. Vacuum compatible probes are constructed of 303 stainless steel. The epoxy in the probes has been specifically tested for vacuum applications requiring low outgassing. Standard Probe cabling uses a PTFE jacket which is highly stable and produces little outgassing. Conductors within the cable and probe are silver-plated, oxygen-free copper (OFC).

Optional bakeout before shipment

All Standard Probes for vacuum applications are thoroughly cleaned and sealed in plastic bags before shipment. Optionally, vacuum compatible probes can be subjected to a “bakeout.” This processes bakes probes at 80°C for several hours in a slight vacuum. During the process, trapped moisture and gasses are removed from the probes and hydrocarbons are driven from the surfaces. The probes are then specially packaged to minimize contamination.

Feed-thru connectors (couplers)

Connection through the wall of the vacuum chamber is accomplished with vacuum compatible couplers or feed-thrus.

Lemo vacuum-compatible coupler

Vacuum compatible probes have short cables with small, 5-pin Lemo connectors which connect to the vacuum side of a Lemo sealed coupler (figure 1). An extension type cable connects the outside of the coupler to the probe driver. These couplers are useful to 10-6 Torr (130 µPa) and have a specified leakage rate of 10-6 mbar liters/second.

For higher vacuums, probe and driver cables are fitted with 9-pin Sub D type connectors for mating with a Ceramaseal, ceramic filled coupler. While this withstands greater vacuum, the mounting is more complicated and the Sub D connectors do not provide as much cable strain relief as the Lemo connectors.

Low-voltage arcing

Paschen’s Law relates to the voltage at which gas breaks down (ionizes) and arcing occurs between two conductors. The law basically says that the breakdown characteristics of a gap are a function of the product of the gas pressure and the gap distance. The relationship is not linear.

This means that for a given gap between conductors, arcing will occur at lower voltages as the pressure decreases. At very low pressures the curve reaches a minimum and begins to increase again. That minimum point is about 300V for air. Argon goes as low as 150V. This minimum point occurs around 5 Torr (650Pa), dependent on conductor material and type of gas.

Lion Precision probes have a gap of about 1mm between the grounded body and the active conductor. The maximum potential between these conductors is less than 100V.
Standard Lion Precision probes don’t exceed the minimum voltage of Paschen curves and will not arc as pressure is reduced through the minimum point on the curve.

Probe generated heat

Capacitive probes consume little power (40µW). They exhibit a negligible increase in temperature during operation.

Configuration