Modular Vacuum Pump Power Supply and Controller

51079-98-I Modular Vacuum Pump Power Supply and Controller--Champion Research, 1429 Dana Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301-3116; (650) 473-0903 Mr. Randolph L. Champion, Principal Investigator Mr. Randolph L. Champion, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82551 Amount: $72,000 Present technology vacuum ion pump supplies do not provide the features needed for the next generation of linear colliders used for high energy physics research. Most of these supplies are located some distance from the pumps themselves, requiring high voltage distribution cables that can break down electrically due to radiation damage and cause fires. Those mounted on the pumps do not have serial control or adequately processed current reporting. This project will develop a modular ion vacuum pump DC-to-DC power supply using high reliability and radiation tolerant components with predictably long mean-time-between-failure. Design will feature direct mounting on the ion pump connector, eliminating high voltage distribution cables. Phase I will investigate available radiation tolerant switchmode power supply, microcontroller, log amplifier, A/D converter, and other components for use in a variety of topologies to meet the needs of the next liniear collider sustaining vacuum pumps. These topologies will be modeled and reliability, radiation tolerance, electronic performance, and cost will be calculated to choose an optimum topology for Phase II development. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The design should eliminate the need for permanent high voltage distribution cables in medical and high energy research accelerators and also be applicable to other devices with large high vacuum systems._