Vacuum Technology Division

The vacuum technology community had been the major force during the original formation of the Committee on Vacuum Techniques and, with the formation of the first three technical divisions, a loss of identity began to be felt in this community. This prompted the formation in 1969 of the fourth division, Vacuum Technology, with R.A. Denton as the appointed chair.

The Chairs were:
1970 Richard A Denton
1971 George H Bancroft
1972 J Roger Young
1973 Collin H Alexander
1974 Charles W Caldwell
1975 Arnold R Huntress
1976 Leonard C Beavis
1977 Wilmer R. "Bill" Bottoms
1978 Dean R Dennison
1979 Eugene N Borson
1980 N Rey Whetten
1981 N Rey Whetten
1982 Donald E Meyer
1983 Collin H Alexander
1984 William C Brown
1985 Paul R Johansen
1986 John F O’Hanlon
1987 Robert F Ellefson
1988 R Norman Peacock
1989 Bruce R F Kendall
1990 Randal W Tustison
1991 George M Solomon
1992 Robert A Childs
1993 Arthur G Fuente
1994 Janda Panitz
1995 Neil T Peacock
1996 J Woody Weed
1997 Michael A Benapfl
1998 J Patrick Looney
1999 John F O’Hanlon
2000 Kimo M Welch
2001 J Lyn Provo
2002 Bridget R Rogers
2003 Douglas H Baker

 

Jack Singleton recalled the reasons for the formation of the division

"For the first few years after the formation of the society the published proceedings of the annual symposium reflect the original interests of the founders, which were the practical aspects of the production, measurement and use of vacuum. But the society welcomed all those interested in the applications of vacuum and, as the topics extended beyond the initial objectives, so came the formation of divisions to coordinate the new directions. With the formation of the Thin Film and Surface Science divisions, papers on these topics increasingly dominated the annual symposium.  Some members whose interests remained largely in the production, measurement and maintenance of vacuum began to urge the formation of a Vacuum Technology Division to solicit more presentations in their field of interest, especially at the annual symposium.  There were however some people who expressed concern at the prospect of the new division.  With the rapidly increasing importance of the new divisions, there was a fear that exchange of ideas across topical lines was disappearing;   some members who had published happily in the earlier proceedings were somewhat reluctant to subject their work to possibly hostile referees for the relatively new JVST; last, but not least, nuts-and-bolts practitioners worried that some of the presumably more erudite technologists (i.e. those who insisted on including a consideration of the theoretical basis to explain the means to a practical end!), might dominate the new division, and even denigrate the well tested and highly successful practical approach.

During 1969-1970, Dick Denton and Jim Lafferty brought the issue to the Board of Directors who wisely asked Dick to poll the general membership for their opinion. The response was positive and, following an organizational meeting at the annual symposium in 1969, the new division became a reality and its by-laws were approved in April, 1970.  The first meeting of the VTD was held on January 28, 1970,at the O'Hare Inn, Chicago. The division certainly succeeded in increasing the number of contributions to the technology of vacuum at the symposium, and in focusing attention on areas of critical importance. The division remained inclusive of all its members, developed joint sessions with other divisions at the annual symposia, and successfully worked to include a useful section on "Shop Notes" in the JVST.  As a relatively mature topic, it is destined to remain a smaller contributor to AVS Symposia, but fortunately it will always be a topic which cannot be ignored. In 1976, the division instituted Science Fair awards to encourage high school students to undertake vacuum-based experiments.

The December 1971 issue of the AVS Newsletter contained this report:

Vacuum Technology Division

The American Vacuum Society grew out of the Symposium for Vacuum Techniques which was organized by a group vitally interested in vacuum hardware and its use in the production of the vacuum environment .

Manufacturers of vacuum equipment backed the new organization with cash and people to breath life into the group. Symposia programs were strong on descriptions of new ideas in components, production of vacuum environments, ultra-high vacuum, techniques for obtaining clean systems , pressure measurement, and methods of optimizing the operating conditions of production equipment. National symposia were well attended by technicians and young engineers from the local areas seeking help in entering the vacuum field and in expanding their knowledge of the techniques involved.

As the uses and applications of vacuum became more sophisticated, divisions of the AVS were formed to better serve the needs of workers in specific areas of applications such as thin films and metallurgy. Programs of these divisions became more and more concerned with basic science and processes .

As more satisfactory equipment became commercially available, more time was applied to the production of research results rather than the attainment of the vacuum. However, there continued to be a lively interest in hardware improvements and development techniques .

During the latter part of the last decade, a number of people began to feel that the AVS programs were gradually de-emphasizing the hardware, vacuum operating techniques and the basics of production measurement and analysis of the vacuum environment. Also, outside of the manufacturers exhibits , there was less and less in the programs offer to the technician or newcomer in the vacuum field. The Education Committee, working with the Instrument Society of America, came up with the offer of training courses to be given

at the Annual Symposium. These courses have been quite successful and have expanded to include advanced as well as introductory courses .

During 1969-70 the AVS Board of Directors in response to growing comments from the membership, appointed Mr. Richard Denton to poll the interest of the membership in a Vacuum Technology Division to re-emphasize the interests in hardware, equipment components improved technique' s and including theoretical and experimental advances in the scientific basis for vacuum techniques .

The results of the poll were encouraging and an organizational meeting was held at the Seattle AVS meeting in October, 1969.

The division is now two years old. Its objectives have been to encourage the presentation of basic vacuum technology emphasizing the practical aspects of designing and operating vacuum equipment as well as the understanding of the limitations of pressure measurement, gas analysis and the removal of gases from vacuum systems .

One method of obtaining greater recognition of this area was the establishment of the note section and the best shop note published each year. The winner for 1970 was announced at the Boston AVS meeting.

The Vacuum Technology Division continues to emphasize in every way possible the advances in vacuum hardware techniques, and basic scientific problems in the production of vacuum and measurement of pressure .

You may join the division by sending a check for $2.00 to Nancy Hammond at AVS in New York.

The Division got off to a flying start at the 1969 Symposium in Seattle and signed up nearly 90 paid members for the 1970 year. At the request of the Division, Paul Redhead agreed to establish a section in the Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology entitled 'Laboratory and Shop Notes'. The Program Chairman for the Vacuum Technology Division program at the 1970 Meeting was C.H. Alexander.

Over 400 answers to a questionnaire were received, and those were overwhelmingly in favor of the formation of the Division, providing more information in the JVST on Shop Notes and New Products, supporting standardization of hardware, education of technicians, and clinics for operation and trouble shooting. A summary of the results of the Questionnaire was compiled at Seattle

The December, 1975 issue of the AVS Newsletter carried a report on the VTD. The membership was 417, up 6% in the year. Eleven invited and 52 contributed papers were given in ten sessions at the 1975 National Symposium; three of the sessions were co-sponsored by ERDA. The report contained a summary of the early days of the Division.

"The American Vacuum Society grew out of the Symposium for Vacuum Techniques which was organized by a group vitally interested in vacuum hardware and its use in the production of the vacuum environment . Manufacturers of vacuum equipment backed the new organization with cash and people to breath life into the group. Symposia programs were strong on descriptions of new ideas in components, production of vacuum environments, ultra-high vacuum, techniques for obtaining clean systems , pressure measurement, and methods of optimizing the operating conditions of production equipment. National symposia were well attended by technicians and young engineers from the local areas seeking help in entering the vacuum field and in expanding their knowledge of the techniques involved.

As the uses and applications of vacuum became more sophisticated, divisions of the AVS were formed to better serve the needs of workers in specific areas of applications such as thin films and metallurgy. Programs of these divisions became more and more concerned with basic science and processes .

As more satisfactory equipment became commercially available, more time was applied to the production of research results rather than the attainment of the vacuum. However, there continued to be a lively interest in hardware improvements and development techniques .

During the latter part of the last decade, a number of people began to feel that the AVS programs were gradually de-emphasizing the hardware, vacuum operating techniques and the basics of production measurement and analysis of the vacuum environment. Also, outside of the manufacturers exhibits , there was less and less in the programs offer to the technician or newcomer in the vacuum field. The Education Committee , working with the Instrument Society of America, came up with the offer of training courses to be given at the Annual Symposium. These courses have been quite successful and have expanded to include advanced as well as introductory courses.

During 1969-70 the AVS Board of Directors in response to growing comments from the membership, appointed Mr. Richard Denton to poll the interest of the membership in a Vacuum Technology Division to re-emphasize the interests in hardware, equipment components improved technique' s and including theoretical and experimental advances in the scientific basis for vacuum techniques . The results of the poll were encouraging and an organizational meeting was held at the Seattle AVS meeting in October, 1969. The division is now two years old. Its objectives have been to encourage the presentation of basic vacuum technology emphasizing the practical aspects of designing and operating vacuum equipment as well as the understanding of the limitations of pressure measurement, gas analysis and the removal of gases from vacuum systems .

One method of obtaining greater recognition of this area was the establishment of the note section and the best shop note published each year. The winner for 1970 was announced at the Boston AVS meeting.

The Vacuum Technology Division continues to emphasize in every way possible the advances in vacuum hardware techniques, and basic scientific problems in the production of vacuum and measurement of pressure . You may join the division by sending a check for $2.00 to Nancy Hammond at AVS in New York."

The report also noted that the submission of Shop Notes to JVST had dwindled, so that the Division recommended to the Scholarships and Awards Committee that no Shop Note award be made for 1975. The VTD selects the winner of the best Shop Note published in the JVST each year for approval by the Awards and Scholarships Committee. The winners are listed separately below. The first award went to Royce K. Wing of the Ames Laboratory USAEC at Iowa State University for the best Shop Note published in the Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology during 1970; it was entitled, "Leak Detection in Vacuum Systems by a Fluorescence Technique" .

The June, 1976 Newsletter announced that each division member would receive a copy of the Leak Detection Monograph in late 1976 or early 1977. Also, the division would sponsor a $100 award at the 1976 International Science Fair in May for the use of vacuum in the most innovative fashion. Len Beavis was VTD chair in 1976.

In 1975, the division became involved with the International Science and Engineering Fair, now known as the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), to encourage high school students to undertake vacuum-based experiments. Held annually in May, the Intel ISEF brings together over 1,200 students from 40 nations to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and the grand prize: a trip to attend the Nobel Prize Ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden. The AVS/VTD continues to sponsor a Special Award at the International level for the purpose of "encouraging the use of vacuum science and technology in science fair projects." This goal is accomplished only by considering projects that use VS&T, by awarding generous awards, and by making personal contacts with students at each fair, and later AVS contact with the teachers, science department heads, or principals. As one might imagine, an endeavor of this sort only survives because it has a "champion" within the organization. From 1975-to-1998, that was Don Meyer. From 1998 until 2002, John O’Hanlon filled that role. In 2003 Doug Baker took over these responsibilities.

Shop Note Awards

1971
Royce K Winge "Leak Detection in Vacuum Systems by a Fluorescence technique", JVST Nov/Dec issue, Vol 7, 610 (1970)

1972
R B Dove & H Marshak "Shaft seal for Mechanical Pump" JVST V8,#2,p 519 (1971)

1973
D.R. Kastelein - "Repairing a Glass Vacuum Bell Jar Seal" JVST 8, 464 (1971)

1974
J D Christian & W P Gilbreath
Sealing of Large Leaks in High Vacuum Systems Subject to Mechanical and Thermal Stresses
JVST, 11, 848 (1974)

1975
No award

1976
No award

1977
No award

1978
Award given but no record of name

1979
R Widmar
Simple Water-Sensitive Detector (Emergency Switch)
JVST 15, 1197 (1978)
and
H Ishimaru
Bakeable Aluminum Vacuum Chamber and Bellows with an Aluminum Flange and Metal Seal for Ultrahigh Vacuum
JVST 15, 1853 (1978)

1980
S J Rothberg, F Barr & CT Dziurzynska
Improvement in Sensitivity of Cahn RF 2000 Vacuum Microbalance
JVST 16 (6), 2115 (1979)
and
D Edwards, Jr.
Cold Formed Wire Connector
JVST 16 (3), 970 (1979)

1981
Bruce R.F. Kendall
Vacuum applications of metal foams
JVST 17, 1385 (1980)

1982
D L Mellor & P G Newman
Low Cost spinner for semiconductor surface preparation prior to MBE growth
JVST 19, 124 (1981)

1983
R Adachi & K Takeshita
Magnetron Sputtering with Additional Ionization by Electron Beam
JVST 20, 98 (1982)

1984
R A A Kubiak, W Y Leong, R M King & E M C Parker
On Baking a Cryopumped UHV System
JVST A, 1, 1872, (1983)

1985
B Bellamy & C Colomer
A UHV Compatible and Miniaturized Evaporator Used as a Controlled Source of High Melting Point metal Vapor
JVST A, 2, 1604 (1984)

1986
Robert A Langley
Correction of a Vacuum Design Fault in Leak Detectors
JVST A3, 2040 (1985)

1987
J P St Germain, G Abel & B L Stansfield
A system for automatic ventilation of a turbomolecular pump
JVST A4, 2391 (1986)

1988
G. L. Fowler
Coaxial helium Leak detection Probe
JVST A5, 390 (1987)

1989
A P Jardine, M Ahmad, R J McClelland & J M Blakely
A simple ultrahigh vacuum shape memory effect shutter mechanism
JVST A6, 3017 (1988)

1990
D A Steigerwald & W F Egelhoff, Jr.
Two simple metal vapor deposition sources for downward evaporation in ultra high vacuum
JVST A7, 3123 (1989)

1991
B T Jonker
A compact flange-mounted Electron Beam Source
JVST A8, 3883 (1990)

1992
J. Simpson & J.O. Williams
Novel System for Maintaining Window Cleanliness in Pulsed Laser Photochemical Deposition Reactors
JVST A10, 411 (1992)

1993
No Award

1994
U Bischier & E Bertel
Simple source of atomic hydrogen for UHV applications
JVST A11,458 (1993)

1995
G Navrotski
Construction of Brazed Be windows for Ultra High Vacuum use
JVST A12, 262 (1994)

1996
G S Dong, Y Chen, M Zhang, & X Jin
Simple Design of Electron Beam evaporators for 3d transition metals
JVST A13, 159 (1995)

1997
No award

1998
T. Gannon and P.R. Watson
"An Easily Constructed High Voltage Power Supply for Electrostatic ion Beam Lensing and Deflection Optics"
JVST A15 (5), 2820 (1997)

1999
No award

2000
M. C. Polo, N. Ferrer, M. Romero, J. Pérez, M. Quevedo, and F. Vilardell
"A New and Simple Variable Angle Accessory for Infrared Specular Reflectance"
JVST A17 (1) 319-21 (1999).

2001
Adam Lapicki, Kevin J. Boyd and Scott L. Anderson
"Kinematic Sample Mounting System for Accurate Positioning of Transferable Samples" JVST A18 (5) 2603-5 (2000)

2002
D.L. Miller and N.T. Moshegov
"All-metal ultrahigh vacuum optical fiber feedthrough"
JVST A19 (1), 386-7. (2001)

2003
Nicholas Materer and Tyler Watt
"Temperature programmer for surface science studies with application to semiconductor surfaces,"
JVST A20 (2) 572-576 (2002).

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