Design and Analysis of Large Diameter Ultra High Vacuum Tube

Abstract

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is an ongoing project to measure the gravitational radiation predicted by general relativity theory of Einstein that can be used to detect the presence of neutron stars, black holes, rotating neutron stars; supernovae; super massive black holes etc. To detect the gravitational wave, it is required to achieve and maintain Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) in entire range of 8km. To achieve UHV various processes has to be done on material. Effects of Hydrogen and its removal methods as well as measurement of hydrogen from solid metal are discussed. Measurement of Hydrogen outgassing by special method called vacuum test facility is also considered. Design of Vacuum Tube as well as Stiffening Ring for the UHV conditions has been done using ASME Sec VIII div I. Programming for such design has also made repetitive work easy. Finite Element Analysis of Vacuum Tube for the external pressure is also done with ANSYS.