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high vacuum
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high vacuum

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Quick Summary

A vacuum is a space with no matter or extremely low pressure, below normal atmospheric pressure. This low pressure is measured in pascals. A vacuum can be created using a vacuum pump or by reducing pressure with a fast fluid flow.1

Vacuum technology involves processes and measurements conducted under below-normal atmospheric pressure. Vacuums are used for several reasons: to prevent unwanted reactions during a process, to disturb equilibrium conditions and remove gases or liquids, to allow particles to travel without collision, and to reduce molecular impacts that could cause contamination.2

  • High vacuum refers to a pressure low enough that the mean free path of molecules is greater than the dimensions of the vacuum vessel.3
  • Ultrahigh vacuum is a vacuum with a pressure of 10-7 pascal or less.4
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4 Britannica Sources
  1. vacuum
  2. vacuum technology
  3. ultrahigh vacuum
  4. mass spectrometry - Vacuum

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