Understanding Electrode Wear in Cold Cathode Vacuum Gauges Cold cathode gauges like the Poseidon Scientific VG-SM225 operate on the Penning discharge principle, where electrons spiral in crossed electric and magnetic fields to ionize residual gas molecules. Positive ions are then accelerated toward the cathode, producing the measurable current that correlates with pressure. While this design […]

Contamination Sources in High Vacuum Measurement In high-vacuum systems for thin-film deposition, heat treatment, and analytical instrumentation, contamination remains the leading cause of gauge drift, extended startup times, and premature failure. Understanding the sources is the first step toward prevention. Poseidon Scientific’s VG-SM225 Cold Cathode Vacuum Gauge and VG-SP205 Pirani Vacuum Transmitter are engineered for