Hazards of Vacuum Systems

Hazards associated with the vacuum system are due to rapid decompression in case of a window failure. Loud noise can cause hearing loss. To mitigate the hazard, all personnel in the vicinity of the large chamber with a window are required to wear ear protection when the chamber is under vacuum. Warning signs must be posted at the area.

The scattering chamber is equipped with a large 10 $mil$ aluminum window that allows the spectrometers to swing from 12.5$^{\circ}$ to 165$^{\circ}$ on the EA and 12.5$^{\circ}$ to 140$^{\circ}$ on the HA. In order to protect this window when the Hall is open, lexan window guards are installed.

At the inlet of the sieve slit a Møller 8" diameter 7 $mil$ kapton window is provided to separate the target chamber from the spectrometers.

Finally, under the detectors, a 4 $mil$ titanium window is provided. Eventually this will be replaced with a low mass mylar/kevlar window.

The 1 $\ell$/s vac ion and the cold cathode gauges operate at several KV; consequently there is also a shock hazard.

Additionally, all vacuum vessels and piping are designed as pressure vessels.