Cryopumping

Absolut System develops high-vacuum and ultra-high-vacuum cryopumping solutions using a closed helium loop.

Absolut System develops high-vacuum and ultra-high-vacuum cryopumping solutions using a closed helium loop.

Cryopumping

Absolut System develops
high-vacuum and ultra-high-vacuum cryopumping solutions using a closed helium loop.

The cryopump comprises a very cold surface (between 20K and 40K), protected from ambient thermal radiation by screens or a baffle that allows the molecules to pass through. The gas accumulates in the form of frost when contacting the cryogenic surface as result of solid condensation (cryosorption).

Cryopumping is used in a wide range of applications, such as nuclear fusion, semiconductor processes for the production of material layers, space simulation chambers and test benches for ion thrusters.

Test bench
for satellite thrusters

Test bench
for satellite thrusters

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Absolut System develops specific test benches to characterize and optimize ion thrusters, maintaining an adequate level of high vacuum thanks to cryogenic cryopumping.

The vacuum chamber recreates the satellite environment in orbit, enabling us to test the performance and service life of the thrusters under study, as closely as possible to real-life conditions. Absolut System’s cryopumps maintain the vacuum despite the expulsion of particles generated by the motor’s plasma propulsion. Cold conditions capture and freeze the molecules, ensuring optimal conditions throughout the weeks of testing.

The chamber’s radiative screens are cooled via a closed loop using recondensation of LN2, or an open loop using a canister.

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cryopompage_schema

Custom engineering

Each electric thruster characterization bench is custom-designed. The design office has developed tools to model the cryogenic pumping system to obtain optimum results for complex geometries. This modeling comprises :

Key Points

Absolut System has developed several closed-loop Helium cryocooler configurations for CNRS, SAFRAN Spacecraft propulsion and ONERA, providing a high level of reliability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Absolut System has developed several closed-loop helium cryocooler configurations for CNRS, Safran and ONERA, providing a high level of reliability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Related expertise: Test benches &
thermal cycling

Absolut System has several test facilities to qualify components for deep thermal cycling (20K – 300K).

Related Project: Vacuum test benches for satellite propulsion

Application: Space ground research

Development of specific test benches to characterize and optimize electric thrusters in vacuum chambers adapted to a wide range of thrust (mass flow rates). Absolut System has developed tools for modeling and optimizing cryopumping systems, enabling optimum results to be obtained for complex geometries.

Related product: tests benches &
thermal cycling

Absolut System has several test facilities to qualify components for deep thermal cycling (20 K – 300 K).

Related project: Vacuum test benches for satellite propulsion

Application: Space ground research

Development of specific test benches to characterize and optimize electric thrusters in vacuum chambers adapted to a wide range of thrust (mass flow rates). Absolut System has developed tools for modeling and optimizing cryopumping systems, enabling optimum results to be obtained for complex geometries.