Vacuum metrology and its impact on research and industry

To mark our anniversary, we are presenting articles that have been particularly appreciated by readers of our online edition once again in print. Here: By accurate vacuum measurement, it is possible to control processes in industry, to ensure the necessary environmental conditions for many experiments in science and research and to support the commercial relationship between manufacturers and users of vacuum equipment. The main task of vacuum metrology, the science of vacuum measurement, is to provide traceability of vacuum measurements to the SI. In recent years, also the characterization of vacuum by partial pressure analysis and outgassing rate measurement, and the dynamics of vacuum measurement became an issue for vacuum metrology.