Thermal Vacuum Chamber for aerospace applications

Extensive characterization and qualification testing

Due to the ever increasing demand for testing and qualification of fiber optic components in extremely harsh environments specifically for aerospace applications and in order to further expand the internal test capabilities, the Test & Calibration Laboratory STS 0333 / SCS 0101 at Diamond SA, Switzerland, has recently acquired a Thermal Vacuum Chamber (also abbreviated TVC or TVAC) Nanovac TVC590-650RC, a test chamber with combined high vacuum and high/low temperature capability according to the state-of-the-art test requirements in this specific application area.

The main purpose for the acquisition of the thermal vacuum chamber is to perform extensive characterization and qualification test programs on fiber optic components for high optical power applications, specifically the Diamond PS, PM-PS and PS+ technology currently used on the Diamond Mini AVIM® connector version, where thermal dissipation plays a critical role when operating in combination with high vacuum and high temperature.

The Nanovac TVC590-650RC thermal vacuum chamber provides the following test capabilities and performance:

Maximum rated temperature range:	-70°C / +120°C
Minimum nominal vacuum:	1 x 10-6 mbar
Average thermal plate heating rate:	approx. 3.5°C/min.
Average thermal plate cooling rate:	Approximately 2.2°C/min.
Thermal plate dimensions:	50 cm x 50 cm
Internal test volume:	50 cm x 50 cm x 35 cm
Feedthroughs:	6 DN 40 ISO-KF flanges
Temperature Sensors:	4 Type K thermocouples
User Interface:	Manual/Programming Mode

Diamond is confident that this further step in expanding testing capabilities for demanding applications will be appreciated by all customers operating in a high technology industry such as aerospace.