Purge vs. Vacuum

Difference between using purges and vacuum to clean sample.

 

A cleaning process is performed on the sample chamber prior to data collection. This can be performed by purging the analysis gas over the sample or evacuating the sample chamber.

 

Purge

Purging fills the first chamber to the purge fill pressure and vents the gas. A purge number should be selected in which the results are consistent.

 

Vacuum

A vacuum preparation will evacuate the sample chamber, pressurize to roughly atmospheric pressure, and then evacuate again. Using a vacuum system can help remove contaminates from samples that purging might not be able to.