physics

Vacuum Science & Technology

The physics and engineering of low-pressure systems — pumping speed calculations, molecular mean free path, outgassing kinetics, helium leak detection sensitivity, and thin-film deposition by sputtering.

vacuumpumping speedmean free pathoutgassingleak detectionthin filmsputteringKnudsen number

Vacuum science underpins technologies from semiconductor fabrication to particle accelerators. At pressures millions of times lower than atmospheric, gas molecules travel enormous distances between collisions, surfaces become the dominant source of residual gas, and the behavior of matter fundamentally changes. Understanding pumping dynamics, molecular flow, and surface interactions is essential for any high-vacuum or ultra-high-vacuum system.

These simulations let you calculate pumping speed and throughput for real chamber geometries, explore mean free path and Knudsen number across pressure regimes, model outgassing and bakeout curves, evaluate helium leak detection sensitivity, and design sputtering deposition processes — all with interactive, physically grounded models.

5 interactive simulations

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Helium Leak Detection & Sensitivity

Simulate helium leak rate measurements, minimum detectable leak size, and response time for mass-spectrometer leak detectors

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Mean Free Path & Knudsen Number

Visualize molecular collisions, mean free path length, and Knudsen number across vacuum pressure regimes

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Outgassing & Bakeout Kinetics

Model surface desorption rates, outgassing decay curves, and bakeout temperature optimization for UHV systems

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Pumping Speed & Throughput

Calculate effective pumping speed, throughput, and pumpdown time for vacuum chambers with conductance-limited connections

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Sputtering Rate & Thin Film Growth

Model magnetron sputtering deposition rate, film thickness, and mean free path of sputtered atoms as a function of power, pressure, and target material