High and Ultra High Vacuum Systems

CERN’s Know-How

• More than 50 years of excellence in the control of large, distributed, high (HV), ultra-high (UHV) and extremely high (XHV) vacuum systems
• World-class training for the next generation of experts in vacuum technology (around 50 early career trainees per year at technician, PhD and Post Doc level)
• Significant know-how in surface characterisation, treatments and coatings (including electroplating and thin films)
• Development and operation of software for the simulation of gas flow dynamics and pressure profiles

Facts & Figures

• 127,000 m: Combined length of vacuum vessels in the CERN accelerator complex
• 15,000 m³:  Volume of LHC insulating vacuum system
• 250,000 of welded joints in the LHC
• Down to 10-12 mbar: Pressure in LHC beam pipes as on the dark side of the moon