Feedthroughs

Our ceramic feedthroughs are designed to provide electrical insulation and high mechanical strength. They are hermetic and maintain ultra-high levels of vacuum and joint integrity that is maintained at elevated temperatures, cryogenic conditions and in harsh environments. Feedthroughs can be classified in 3 groups:

• Feedthroughs for low voltages (up to 12 kV) typically to convey a signal
• High-voltage feedthroughs (20 to 100 kV)
• Water-cooled feedthroughs and RF feedthroughs typically used in CO2 lasers

Low and High Voltage Feedthroughs

Feedthroughs for low and high voltage can be designed to customer requirements. The method of interconnection (number of conducting pins) is flexible so can be designed as a single-pin, multi-pin or thermocouple feedthrough.

Water Cooled and RF Feedthroughs

Water cooled feedthroughs and RF feedthroughs are designed to operate efficiently in a variety of RF applications including CO2 lasers, sputtering and plasma generation.

Materials used in feedthrough assemblies include:

• High purity alumina (95 to 99.5%) - Deranox 970, Sintox FF and Deranox 995
• Glass and glass ceramic
• Conventional brazing materials (moly manganese or active braze alloys (ABA)
• Metals - OFHC copper, stainless steels, mild steels, monel, nickel alloys and titanium, gold coating (to enhance electrical conductivity)
• Glazes for protection or to facilitate cleaning

Typical feedthrough applications include:

• Mass spectrometry, gas detection and high vacuum connectors
• Microscopes (TEM, SEM)
• Particle accelerators and nuclear detectors
• X-ray equipment, scanners and imaging applications for the medical industry
• Sensors, satellite propulsion and engine management for the aerospace industry
• Optoelectronics and power tubes
• Gas lasers
• Deep sea repeaters and penetrators
• Rechargeable batteries for energy storage

For more information on our range of feedthroughs, see the rest of this section or take a look at our medical feedthroughs.