Leybold Designs New TURBOVAC iR Model Series

"The iR models replace the former TURBOVAC ClassicLine pumps and meet, for example, the requirements of our high-end research customers – such as the major research institutes CERN or DESY," summarizes the responsible product manager, Petr Lastovicka.

Very high radiation tolerances and flexible remote operation
Accordingly, the TURBOVAC iR was designed for flexible remote operation from 3 meters to distances of one kilometre. In all aspects the products were also designed to resist the challenges which are present in environments with high to very high ionizing radiation. "For this, we offer special cable lengths of up to 200 meters, and also the option for the users to use their own cables," explains product manager Petr Lastovicka. According to Lastovicka, the iR models were developed using the existing material knowledge of the research community: As a result, the materials they contain have radiation tolerances of up to 1 million grays (Gy).

Combination with ion and NEG pumps
In combination with the ion getter and non-evaporable getter pumps, so called ultra-high vacuum pumps, "These attributes set them apart from standard market models, which are meeting the market requirements but not specifically those needed for the particular conditions encountered in research centers," says Petr Lastovicka. This is different with the TURBOVAC iR product series: on the one hand, they were developed for the special requirements regarding cable length and radiation tolerance. "In addition, we can offer the TURBOVAC iR pumps combined with our ion pumps and NEG pumps, which other suppliers cannot offer as a package," adds Lastovicka. TURBOVAC iR fits perfectly well in the TURBOVAC i eco systems as other products such as accessories or the software LeyAssist can be utilized as well.

Requirements of the high-energy physics market
The bottom line is that the new iR models are designed to meet the technical requirements of the high-energy physics market. This makes them predestined for applications such as synchrotrons (particle accelerators), cyclotrons (circular accelerators), linear accelerators and free-electron lasers. "In these areas, users can remove the electronics and place them in areas where they are not exposed to radiation," explains Petr Lastovicka.

Absolute purity
Another elementary condition in these application areas is the absolute purity of the pump: this core requirement is fulfilled by the oil-free operation of the bearing system of the new TURBOVAC iR series. The TURBOVAC iR also supports all relevant communication options of the TURBOVAC I, USB, 15-pin digital I/O and all serial and fieldbus options of the TURBO.DRIVE 500e. Another advantage: The integrated, new TURBO.DRIVE controller automatically recognizes the pump model and immediately adjusts to the specific operating modes.

Sizes 1350 and 1450 will follow in the third quarter of 2022
The TURBOVAC iR range completely covers all existing members of the TURBOVAC i family with pumping speeds from 90 to 950 l/s. In parallel, Leybold will successively expand the accessories range of supporting controllers and cable options to meet customer needs for additional cable lengths and intelligent solutions. The intelligent Controller TURBO.DRIVE 500eC has been released in April and the TURBOVAC iR sizes 1350 and 1450 will follow in the third quarter of 2022 together with the more powerful controller option to realize even longer cable lengths.

Applications at a glance:
Particle Accelerator
- Synchrotron Beamline / End station
- Synchrotron Ring

Research
- LINAC (Linear Accelerator) electron in research
- Particle accelerator cyclotron beamline/experiment
- Particle accelerator cyclotron system
- Laser – free-electron laser (FEL)
- Classic Fusion & Laser Fusion

Medical
- Particle accelerator cyclotron system
- LINAC (Linear Accelerator) heavy ions
- Sterilization

Industrial/Semi
- Electron beam welding
- Ion implantation

General requirement to have remote operation of the TMP
Key Success Factors:
- Strong tolerance for radiation environments
- Flexible remote operation over very long distances
- Excellent performance for light gases
- No oil/particle emission from the pump
- Partly tolerance for magnetic fields
- Easy maintenance (onsite).