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Transpector MPS Operating Manual
Ionization probability factors can be approximated by substituting the relative ion
gauge sensitivities for various gases.
gives relative ion gauge
sensitivities for some common gases.
NOTE:
lists relative ionization gauge sensitivities for selected
molecules. The data was compiled from
Empirical Observations on the
Sensitivity of Hot Cathode Ionization Type Vacuum Gauges
by
R. L. Summers (NASA Technical Note NASA TN D5285, published in
1969). Similar, although more limited, lists of ionization sensitivities can be
found in the books by O’Hanlon (Chapter 8, Section 1.1) and Drinkwine
and Lichtman (Table I, page 5).
HINT:
Actual ionization probabilities vary significantly depending on the ionizer
and the electron energy. For best accuracy, measure the relative ionization
probability using a hot cathode ionization gauge (calibrated for nitrogen) to
monitor a known pressure of the substance of interest. The ratio of the
gauge reading to the known true pressure is the relative ionization
probability. To determine the true pressure, use a gauge which is gas
species independent (for example, a capacitance manometer) or a gauge
with a known sensitivity factor (for example, a spinning rotor gauge).
Table 4-5 Ionization Probabilities for some Common Substances
Substance
Formula
Relative
Ionization
Gauge
Sensitivity
substance
Formula
Relative
Ionization
Gauge
Sensitivity
acetone
(CH
3
)
2
CO
3.6
hydrogen chloride
HCl
1.6
air
1.0
hydrogen fluoride
HF
1.4
ammonia
NH
3
1.3
hydrogen iodide
HI
3.1
argon
Ar
1.2
hydrogen sulfide
H
2
S
2.2
benzene
C
6
H
6
5.9
krypton
Kr
1.7
benzoic acid
C
6
H
5
COOH
5.5
lithium
Li
1.9
bromine
Br
2
3.8
methane
CH
4
1.6
butane
C
4
H
10
4.9
methanol
CH
3
OH
1.8
carbon dioxide
CO
2
1.4
neon
Ne
0.23
carbon disulfide
CS
2
4.8
nitrogen
N
2
1.0
carbon monoxide
CO
1.05
nitric oxide
NO
1.2
carbon tetrachloride
CCl
4
6.0
nitrous oxide
N
2
O
1.7
chlorobenzene
C
6
H
5
Cl
7.0
oxygen
O
2
1.0
chloroethane
C
2
H
5
Cl
4.0
n-pentane
C
5
H
12
6.0
chloroform
CHCl
3
4.8
phenol
C
6
H
5
OH
6.2
chloromethane
CH
3
Cl
3.1
phosphine
PH
3
2.6