Pfeiffer Vacuum has received another major order for leak detectors from CERN. CERN, based in Geneva on the French-Swiss border, is the world's largest research center for particle physics. The main focus here is on basic research into physics and the structure of matter. The particle accelerator LHC (Large Hadron Collider) - in which protons or ions collide at almost the speed of light - has a circumference of around 27 kilometers. It is the largest vacuum structure in the world with thousands of welded joints, flanges, feedthroughs and complex internal installations.

An ultra-high vacuum (UHV) is essential so that the accelerated particles in the beamlines can move as freely as possible. Maintaining such a low pressure requires the lowest possible leakage rate and therefore sophisticated leak detection technology. At CERN, the decision was once again made in favor of technology from Pfeiffer Vacuum. Andreas Schopphoff, Head of Market Segment R&D at Pfeiffer Vacuum: "The cooperation between CERN and Pfeiffer Vacuum is based on many years of trustful collaboration. We are very proud that our advanced leak detection technology has once again been selected for future projects."

The ASM 340 leak detector is an easy-to-use device that can detect leaks up to < 5 x ^10-13 Pa^m3/s. With the integrated backing pump's pumping speed of 15^m3/h, tests can be carried out to detect leaks in both small and large volumes. The ASM 340 is particularly suitable for such a large facility as the LHC, as the patent-pending process enables leak detection from a pressure of 100 hPa. In addition, the leak detector is so compact that it can be easily maneuvered under the cryostats and the beam tubes of the LHC.

Helium leak detectors today are based on a patent by Dr. W. Becker of Pfeiffer Vacuum, who proposed using a turbopump as a kind of filter and safety element in front of a mass spectrometer. CERN was one of the first customers to use this innovative technology and is still an important user of Pfeiffer Vacuum products today. The generation of the vacuum inside the LHC as well as the total and partial pressure measurement require comprehensive vacuum technology. A large part of this is also supplied by Pfeiffer Vacuum.

CERN was founded in 1954. In addition to the approximately 2,500 employees, more than 10,000 guest scientists from all over the world work there today.