J.B. Anderson & Son, Inc.

The MODION® ion pump utilizes the familiar Penning discharge to ionize the residual gas molecules inside the pump. The magnetic field confines the discharge to a small volume within the pump, and increases the efficiency of pumping by greatly increasing the number of collisions with electrons generated by the ionization process. Thus, a relatively dense cloud of spiraling electrons is formed within the dis-charge to ionize gas molecules more efficiently. The process is self-regulating so that the discharge does not go from Townsend to ARC. The ions formed are accelerated to the cathodes (titanium) where they impact with sufficient energy to become entrapped. This process, called "sputtering", creates a continuously renewed surface of pure titanium molecules, which accomplish the active pumping. J.B. Anderson uses a proprietary process to create a clean titanium surface that has a high chemical attraction (affinity for almost all chemically active gases (H2, N2, O2, etc.) When an active gas molecule strikes the fresh titanium surface, it is bound to that surface by strong chemical bonds. These gases are in effect, "pumped" by the titanium surface. The sputtering process also effectively buries gas molecules under layers of fresh titanium as the process continues over a long period of time. The Inert gases (He, Ar, Kr, Xe) have little affinity for titanium, and these gases are held weakly to the surface by ionic bonds. The probability of these gas molecules adhering to the titanium surface is low, and the binding forces are much weaker than for other gases. The "pumping" action of a titanium film surface can also be affected by ion bombardment at the cathodes. High energy ions striking the cathode not only sputter fresh titanium, but will release a small number of previously pumped molecules as well. For this reason one often observes an initial rise in pressure when the pump is first activated.

This small, lightweight, portable ion pumpgauge unit represents a new approach to the familiar appendage pump. Its compact design allows the high voltage modular power supply, ion pump, and the display module to be assembled into a single inter-connected unit with a mass as low as 318gm and size as small as less than 5 inches in overall length. A four decade, easy to read bar graph meter display and a 0-5VDC analog signal during normal operations, and continuously monitors the level of vacuum within the pump. The MODION® PumpGauge may be operated from several power sources for fixed or portable operation: The standard Model 110220VAC switchable wall adapter. Operation from batteries (12VDC) to provide backup or portable operation. This mode can permit complete portability during processing, storage and shipping of a user's vacuum device. The pump portion of MODION® may be operated remotely via HV cable from J.B.A's HVPS (high voltage power supply). note: using the MODION® with a non-J.B.A. power supply voids the 1 year limited warranty)

MODION® Ion Pumps are used wherever ultra-high vacuum applications are required. Electron Microscope vacuum pumpIon pumps can attain pressures in the ultra high vacuum range, making them an excellent choice to supplement other UHV pumps such as turbomolecular pumps and well trapped diffusion pumps. Because they have no moving parts and use no oil, ion pumps offer a clean, vibration free pumping solution that needs little or no maintenance. MODION® ion pumps offer high-performance solutions matching the requirements of Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) Sensitive instrumentation including types of mass spectrometers and surface analysis systems require ultra-high vacuum pumping Particle accelerators, focused ion beam systems, and other high-tolerance laboratory applications require reliable ion pump systems Industry uses MODION® ion pumps in the production of Microwave and Radio Frequency tubes employed in processes such as heat treating, plastic welding, food processing, textile manufacture Electron guns for electron beam (e-beam) sterilization Vacuum Chambers for sample transfer and space simulation UHV laboratory equipment Well suited for space flight based experimentation due to small envelope and mass Optics - perfect for observatory telescope optics, and ccd cameras Ion Pumps are critical to space and telecommunications systems Medical manufacturers rely on ion pumps for medical imaging technology, including radiological equipment such as X-Ray devices, radiation therapy, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging